Building a strong foundation in English for young children

Starting in August 2025, the British Council officially expands its early years English course Learning Time with Timmy to children from age three at its teaching centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This is an important step in the strategy to enhance the quality of early childhood education, helping parents feel confident in introducing English to their children from the “golden stage” of language development.

According to research by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, the period from 3-5 years old is when the brain develops most rapidly, especially in language acquisition and cognitive skills. UNICEF also indicates that early exposure to a second language in an age-appropriate environment helps create a foundation for lifelong learning, fostering communication skills and logical thinking.

More parents are recognising the benefits of early exposure to foreign languages, yet remain concerned about the right approach: learning only through play often lacks a clear pathway, while overly academic programmes may unintentionally create pressure for young children. Therefore, a balanced programme – enabling children to learn English naturally while helping parents clearly see their child’s progress – is considered essential to provide a foundation for developing English as a second language, suitable for each stage of growth.

Results after one term showed that children significantly improved their pronunciation, gained confidence in using simple sentences in communication, and developed the habit of using English in familiar situations.

‘At this stage, children acquire language naturally through observing, listening, playing and experimenting. Learning English early helps them achieve proficiency faster, while developing both language and social skills before entering primary school. With the British Council’s early years course, children will gain a solid English foundation comparable to children who live in countries where English is a first language, making the transition to international learning environments easier and more successful from the very first steps.’ said Neil Roberts, Regional Product Director of Young Learners Programmes, British Council.

This expansion meets the increasing demand from parents for building a foundation in English as a second language for their children, with assured teaching quality and a clear learning pathway.

Timmy is present throughout the lessons, helping children learn English naturally and with enjoyment.

A special feature of the programme is Timmy – the popular animated sheep from Aardman’s Timmy Time. Aardman is a British animation studio that has won four Academy Awards, a number of BAFTA awards and holds five Guinness World Records. Their much-loved creations include Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run. The British Council has secured global licensing rights to bring Timmy into the course as a guiding character throughout the lessons.

The programme helps children build a solid English foundation through the phonics method, while also developing both language and soft skills. Children are also introduced to classroom learning skills such as concentration, teamwork, information sharing and social communication, providing them with a strong start to enter Grade 1 confidently and effectively.

All lessons are delivered by the British Council’s international teaching team, who hold prestigious professional qualifications such as TYLEC (Teaching Young Learners Extension Certificate) for teaching English to children, and TEPP (Tertiary Education Preparation Programme) for early years education.