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21/08/2025 11:00 下午
As a new immigrant who moved to North America a decade ago, I’ve finally breathed a sigh of relief lately when it comes to my kid’s English learning. Today, I want to talk about the exploration I’ve done over this time—maybe it can offer some reference for parents facing similar struggles.
My kid was born here—you’d think the native language environment would make things easy, but he’s never liked reading since he was little. After school, he’d either cling to his tablet watching cartoons or run around like crazy with neighborhood kids. Once he started elementary school, the problems emerged: his teacher reported he stumbles over class participation, and his little essays are even more like rambling journals—he can’t even put together a complete paragraph. At a parent-teacher conference once, the teacher gently said, “Even though he’s a native speaker, his literary skills might need some extra support.”
I was really worried back then. After all, in North American schools, English reading and writing skills are so crucial. So I started looking for a good English institution to help my kid make up for this gap. I tried several places one after another, and today I want to share those experiences with you.
The first one I tried was Cambly Kids, which focuses on one-on-one foreign teacher classes. During the trial class, the teacher seemed friendly, using games for interaction the whole time, and my kid had fun. But after a few sessions, I realized this purely conversational learning doesn’t do much for improving reading and writing. The teacher mostly chatted with the kid—like what he did at school today or his favorite color—lacking systematic reading and writing training. For families like ours, desperate to boost literary skills, it might not hit the mark.
Later, I tried Huiya. Their leveled reading resources are really abundant, and all kinds of picture books and animations are beautifully made. I thought my kid would like it, but he ran off after watching for a few minutes, saying it wasn’t as interesting as the cartoons he usually watches. Maybe the content feels a bit boring to him, failing to truly spark his interest. What’s more, despite the rich resources, it lacks guidance from professional teachers—kids can’t absorb much just by reading on their own.
The last one I tried was WuKong English ELA. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations at first, since the previous ones didn’t work out. But surprisingly, this time we found the right fit.
Before choosing, I did some research and learned they’re strictly aligned with the CCSS framework—the common standard for K-12 education in the US, which felt reliable. Plus, their curriculum is designed for native English-speaking kids in grades 2-6, focusing specifically on improving reading and writing skills. That perfectly matched our needs!
After starting the official classes, my kid’s changes surprised me. Their Advanced English Reading & Writing class isn’t about rote memorization; instead, it guides kids through various engaging themes. For example, one class was about animal conservation. The teacher first had them read a related short passage, then guided them to think, “How should we protect animals?” letting the kids share their own opinions. My kid rarely spoke up in class before, but that time he actually raised his hand and shared several points. His expression wasn’t very smooth, but you could tell he was really thinking.
The curriculum also includes many critical thinking activities. Once, the teacher gave two articles with opposing viewpoints: one said electronic devices are harmful to kids, the other argued reasonable use has benefits. The kids were asked to analyze the arguments on both sides and then form their own opinions. My kid even discussed it with me for a long time at home, saying he thought you can’t generalize—it depends on how you use them. This ability to think independently is exactly what he used to lack most.
Now, after three months, the most obvious change is his writing has improved a lot. Before, his essays would end in just a few sentences, but now he can write complete paragraphs with his own opinions. Last time the school assigned a little essay on “My Community,” he actually wrote two full pages and got praised by his teacher, who said he showed “careful observation and independent thinking.” That day, he hopped home with his essay notebook—such a sense of achievement he’d never felt before.
More importantly, he’s less resistant to reading now. After one class, the teacher recommended a picture book about space, and he actually actively asked me to read with him. His reading speed isn’t fast yet, but at least he’s willing to pick up a book—that’s already a big step forward for me.
Honestly, when I was choosing institutions, my biggest worry was they’d be too commercialized, with teachers only focused on pushing courses. But WuKong English felt different. Consultants patiently learn about the kid’s situation and recommend suitable courses, and during classes, teachers are fully focused on teaching without deliberate sales pitches. This focus on teaching itself makes me feel at ease.
Of course, every kid is different, so the right institution might vary. I’m just sharing my experience as a reference. If you have a kid who dislikes reading and needs to improve writing skills, maybe try WuKong English ELA—you might be surprised.
Finally, parenting is full of challenges, but seeing them make little progress makes it all worthwhile. Hope our kids can avoid detours in language learning and keep getting better and better!
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