By Javier Saavedra 

When the school holidays arrive, many international parents worry about language loss. If your child spent the school year learning English or German, you might wonder if they will forget everything by August.

The good news is that languages do not just disappear. When children use a language less, the skill simply goes dormant. It is like a seed waiting for water. The skills remain there, and they grow again as soon as your child starts using them.

You do not need to set up formal lessons at home to keep these skills active. Simple, daily actions are the best way to practice.

Small Habits Make a Big Difference

You do not need to spend hours studying grammar books every day. A few minutes of practice each day makes a big difference. The secret is consistency: little and often is best.

James Stenning, Executive Principal at Four Forest Schools, explains how this works in daily life:

“When a language is used less over the holidays, it is not lost; it is just dormant, like a seed waiting for water. You do not need to turn summer into a classroom. Simple habits, like reading a comic book, writing a postcard, or sharing a game at the lake, are the best ways to keep those skills alive. Little and often is always best.”

When you build small language habits into your summer routine, your child learns without feeling the pressure. Here is how you can bring English and German into your daily life through real experiences.

Read and Listen for Fun

Summer offers a great time to read without the pressure of school grades or homework. Let your child choose what they like to read. Books, comics, magazines, and newspapers all keep the language active. If children read what fascinates them, they welcome the practice.

If you live in the Zug area, you can visit the Bibliothek Zug to find a great selection of children’s books. Families in Luzern can explore the BVL Luzern Public Library for bilingual books and summer reading materials.

You can also use audiobooks, music, and podcasts to support their learning. Listening to stories while traveling on a train, sitting on the bus, or relaxing on a warm afternoon helps children hear the rhythm of a language naturally. They absorb the correct pronunciation and expand their vocabulary while they rest.

Speak and Write in Daily Life

Encourage your child to chat whenever they can. They can practice with family members, friends at the playground, or neighbors in your building. Do not worry about mistakes or perfect grammar. You can switch between languages easily to keep the conversation flowing and to keep your child from feeling frustrated.

Write a little bit every day to build confidence. Your child can keep a holiday diary where they write one sentence about their day. They can also write postcards to grandparents, or help you write the weekly shopping list before you go to the supermarket. Another nice idea is to ask them to write a simple thank you note after a summer activity or a birthday party.

Watch, Capture Memories, and Stay Curious

Watching movies, series, or videos is another easy way to learn. Turn on the subtitles or watch the videos in their original language to practice listening skills. You can talk about the characters or the story together after the movie ends to practice speaking.

You can also use your summer photos to practice. When your child takes a photo of a playground, a mountain, or a lake, ask them to write a short caption for it. They can create a small digital photo album and write the descriptions in English or German.

How This Prepares Kids for the New School Year

These small summer habits build a strong bridge to the upcoming school year. When children practice language through play, they do not view German or English as a chore. Instead, they see it as a tool to explore their environment.

When the school doors open in August, your child will feel less anxious about their classes. The vocabulary they heard at the lake or the playground will help them understand their teachers and connect with classmates faster. You give them a head start simply by letting them live daily life in Central Switzerland.

Above all, enjoy the process and stay curious about the world around you. Show interest, ask open questions, and have fun with words every day. Practice English today and German tomorrow, because two languages give your child a strong advantage for the future.

To find open-air spaces, parks, and family events where your children can easily hear the language in real life, check out the official Zug Tourism Family Guide or the Luzern Tourism Family Page.