If your child is falling behind in English class, early intervention can make a big difference.
But how do you know if they truly need help?
English is a foundational subject that impacts every aspect of your child’s education. From reading comprehension to writing essays and communicating effectively, English shapes how they interpret stories, articulate thoughts, and navigate the world.
However, not all students grasp these skills at the same pace. Some wrestle with elusive grammar rules, stumble over dense texts, or lose their voice somewhere between a blank page and the pressure to perform.
Let’s explore the key signs your child may be struggling in English class and provide actionable tips to support their success.
6 Signs Your Child Needs Help in English
1. Consistently Low Grades
One of the most obvious indicators that your child needs help in English is a drop in grades. A sudden dip in marks may be easy to spot, but sometimes the decline is gradual. It can be a slow retreat from Bs to Cs or a once-strong essay score now edged in red.
If their report cards show declining marks in English, especially if they were previously doing well, it may be a warning sign of a deeper issue. Of course, grades are not the full measure of a mind, but they are often the first sign of a deeper struggle.
What to do:
- Review graded assignments to identify patterns like poor grammar and weak thesis statements.
- Where do the comments cluster? Is it the thesis structure? Run-on sentences? Etc.
- Schedule a meeting with their teacher for clarity on specific challenges and discuss possible strategies.
2. Avoidance of Reading & Writing Tasks
Does your child procrastinate on book reports or resist reading altogether? A book left untouched on the desk or a writing assignment postponed until the last possible minute often signals resistance rather than laziness.
Resistance and avoidance often stem from frustration or lack of confidence. It’s the muffled cry of a student who fears they’ll fail before they even begin. Every teenager wants to feel successful, and waning confidence could be a telltale sign that they are struggling and need help.
What to do:
- Encourage daily reading with books they enjoy—even graphic novels or old favorites
- Focus on restoring the joy of reading, not meeting expectations
- For writing, start small: a paragraph instead of an essay
- Break writing assignments into manageable steps
- Break writing assignments into smaller, manageable steps so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
3. Difficulty Understanding Instructions
If your child frequently misinterprets essay prompts or reading assignments, they may struggle with comprehension. Misread prompts and confused directions suggest more than carelessness. They hint at a mind grappling with comprehension, not just task completion.
What to do:
- Practice active reading strategies, highlighting key points, and summarizing paragraphs.
- Encourage explanation of instructions in their own words before starting the work.
- Teach them to interrogate an assignment before starting.
- Ask: What’s the core question? What’s the teacher really looking for?
4. Poor Spelling & Grammar in Everyday Writing
Misspellings creep into texts, and verb tenses can waver even for adults. While occasional mistakes are normal, frequent errors in texts, emails, or homework may indicate weak or shaky foundational skills, rules half-learned but never fully grasped.
What to do:
- Use grammar-checking tools (like Grammarly) as a learning aid.
- Play word games like Scrabble and Boggle to make spelling practice fun, stir up their vocabulary, and sharpen their spelling.
- Turn correction into a game, not a reprimand.
- Try a weekly “editing challenge” where they fix a paragraph riddled with mistakes (some yours, some theirs).
A little laughter during the learning can disarm frustration!
5. Lack of Participation in Class
Students who are lost or embarrassed about their skills often stay quiet during discussions. The fact that they never raise their hand doesn’t mean they are always disengaged. Sometimes, they’re measuring the risk of speaking up and weighing the shame of a wrong answer against the safety of silence.
What to do:
- Role-play conversations to build confidence.
- Encourage them to ask questions even outside class, via email, or after school.
- Celebrate effort over correctness to reduce fear of being wrong.
- Remind them that everyone learns through mistakes. Normalize not knowing all the answers.
6. Negative Self-Talk About English
Phrases like “I’m just bad at writing” or “I hate reading” can reflect discouragement rather than ability. A child’s self-criticism often mirrors their perceived failures. When they stop believing improvement is possible, the real damage begins.
What to do:
- Praise effort over results (e.g., “Your essay intro improved so much!”).
- Shift the narrative to highlight growth: “Your last introduction was so much clearer—let’s build on that.”
- If their inner voice grows kinder, their skills will follow.
- Consider a tutor for personalized support.
How to Help Your Child Improve in English
1. Communicate with Their Teacher
Teachers can pinpoint weaknesses and suggest tailored resources.
Ask: Where does my child struggle most? Are there supplemental materials we can use at home?
A simple check-in with the teacher can offer valuable insight into your child’s day-to-day performance and highlight areas for growth. Plus, it shows your child that you and their teacher are part of the same support team, working together to help them succeed.
2. Create a Supportive Learning Environment
Set up a distraction-free study space and establish a routine (e.g., 20 minutes of reading before bed). Keep supplies organized and easily accessible, and consider adding calming elements like soft lighting or a favorite chair to make the space inviting.
Consistency is key. When your kids know what to expect, it reduces stress and helps them ease into focused learning time more naturally.
3. Use Engaging Learning Tools
Incorporate tools that make reading and writing more interactive. Try apps like CommonLit for reading comprehension and Quill for grammar and writing practice. NoRedInk is also a great practice resource for improving grammar.
Explore YouTube channels such as CrashCourse Literature for engaging analysis or Khan Academy’s grammar series for bite-sized lessons.
4. Consider Tutoring or Extra Help
Sometimes, a fresh voice can work miracles. If gaps persist, a tutor can provide one-on-one guidance. A tutor isn’t an admission of defeat but a bridge. The right mentor can untangle knots a child didn’t even know they had.
Options include:
- School-led study groups.
- Online tutoring (personalized 1:1 coaching)
At S4 Study Skills, we provide 1:1 personalized tutoring for English that focuses on your child’s unique learning needs and preferences. All the families we’ve worked with have seen massive transformations in their kids.
Final Thoughts
Struggling in English doesn’t mean your child isn’t capable. It just means they need the right support. By recognizing the signs early and taking proactive steps, you can help them build confidence and skills that will last throughout their lives.
Need more guidance? Reach out to explore tutoring options that can zero in on the problems and restore your child’s enthusiasm for English.
