Phonics for families whose first language is not English
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 · 5 minute read
If English is not your first language, you can still help your child learn to read English. You do not need perfect English, and you do not need to stop speaking your own language at home. This guide explains how phonics works, which English sounds can feel new, and simple ways to practise together.
Your language is a strength
Children who grow up with two or more languages have a real advantage. They are used to noticing sounds and switching between them. Keep talking, reading and singing with your child in your own language. It builds vocabulary, confidence and a love of stories, and all of that helps with reading in English too.
How English phonics works
In school, your child learns the sounds that English letters make, then blends the sounds into words. For example, “c”, “a” and “t” blend into “cat”. Some English sounds are written with two or three letters, like “sh” in “ship” or “igh” in “night”. Our guide to the phonics phases lists the sounds in the order most schools teach them.
The sound of a letter matters more than its name. The letter “m” is “mmm”, not “em”. Our guide to pure sounds has a button for every sound, so you can hear it and copy it.
Letters that look the same but sound different
Many languages use the same letters as English, but with different sounds. This is completely normal. It just means some letters have a different sound in each language. Here are a few examples. Everyone speaks differently, so treat these as a guide, not a rule.
Turkish
| Letter or sound | In Turkish | In English phonics |
|---|---|---|
| c | sounds like the English “j” in “jam” | sounds like “k”, as in “cat” |
| j | sounds like the middle of “measure” | sounds like “j”, as in “jam” |
| w | not used in Turkish words | lips rounded, as in “wet” |
| th | no “th” sound | tongue between the teeth, as in “thin” |
Some Turkish speakers add a small vowel before two consonants at the start of a word, such as “istop” for “stop”. Clapping the sounds slowly can help.
Polish
| Letter or sound | In Polish | In English phonics |
|---|---|---|
| w | sounds like the English “v” | lips rounded, as in “wet” |
| j | sounds like the English “y” in “yes” | sounds like “j”, as in “jam” |
| c | sounds like “ts” | sounds like “k”, as in “cat” |
| th | no “th” sound | tongue between the teeth, as in “thin” |
In Polish, sounds at the end of a word are often softened, so “dog” can sound like “dock”. In English phonics, the end sound matters: “dog” and “dock” are different words.
Urdu
| Sound | In Urdu | In English phonics |
|---|---|---|
| v and w | often one sound | two different sounds: “vet” and “wet” |
| th | no “th” sound | tongue between the teeth, as in “thin” |
| short vowels | usually not written | always written, as in “cat”, “pin”, “hot” |
Urdu is written from right to left, so a child who reads Urdu may need a little practice following English from left to right. Running a finger under the word helps. Some Urdu speakers also add a vowel before two consonants at the start of a word, such as “iskool” for “school”.
Simple ways to practise together
- Listen first. Press the buttons in our pure sounds guide and copy each sound together.
- Say, then blend. Say each sound in a short word, then say the word. Your child copies you.
- Robot talk. Say a word one sound at a time. Your child says the whole word.
- Sound hunt. Find things at home that start with a sound, such as “s” for sock and spoon.
- Read their school book. Let your child read it to you. You do not need to know every word to listen and encourage.
Our guide to helping your child with phonics at home has ten more three-minute games.
Talking to the school
Teachers are used to working with families who speak many languages. It is fine to ask:
- which sounds your child is learning this week,
- how to say a sound you are unsure of,
- whether there is a sound mat or a video you can use at home.
Your child takes the same Phonics Screening Check as everyone else. Our guide to the Phonics Screening Check explains it.
What Xenly does, and what it doesn’t
Every sound in Xenly is a clear, pure English sound, and when your child plays on their own, Xenly says each sound for them. When you read together, you listen and tap any sound that needed a second go. You can use the sound buttons in this guide first if you want to check a sound.
Xenly only teaches English phonics. It does not translate, and it is not an English language course. See how Xenly works and what it costs.
Questions parents ask
Should we speak only English at home?
No. Keep speaking your own language. It helps your child’s thinking and language, and it does not hold back their English.
My English accent is not perfect. Will I teach the wrong sounds?
Use the sound buttons in our pure sounds guide and copy them. Your child also hears the sounds every day at school.
My child mixes up “v” and “w”. Is that a problem?
It is very common and gets better with practice. Show how your lips round for “w” and your teeth touch your lip for “v”.
Can I read books with my child in our own language?
Yes, please do. Stories in any language build a love of reading.
Will my child be behind because English is new?
Many children learning English do very well in phonics, because phonics follows clear patterns. Every child learns at their own pace.