At Speak Marathi, we work with children across the globe—many of whom come from Marathi-speaking households but hesitate to use the language. Parents often say:
“They understand Marathi perfectly but don’t speak it.”
Here’s the secret: They already know a LOT more Marathi than they let on. It’s all stored in their minds, just waiting to be activated.
So how do you tap into that hidden vocabulary bank? Here are fun, effective ways to bring it to the surface:
1. Make Marathi Part of Their Playtime
Children absorb more when they’re having fun. Use:
- Roleplay games like playing doctor, teacher, or shopkeeper in Marathi
- Action-based games like Simon Says in Marathi (Shivaji Maharaj Mhantaat, oobhaa rahaa!)
- Toy dialogues: “What did Teddy say?” → Prompt them to respond in Marathi
When learning happens through play, it never feels like work.
2. Use Their Daily Environment as a Classroom
Label things around the house in Marathi—darwazaa (door), khoorchee (chair), paanya-chee batlee (water bottle). Every time they interact with these objects, it reinforces the word.
Ask simple questions:
- “… Koothey aahey?” (Where is it?)
- “Kitee vaazley?” (What time is it?)
Even if the answer comes in English, they’re processing Marathi.
3. Turn Memory into a Trigger
Kids associate languages with people and emotions. Bring up memories linked to Marathi phrases:
- “Remember what Ajoba used to say?”
- “What was that funny song Aaji sings while cooking?”
- “What’s the funniest word to your ear when we are speaking over the video call?”
The emotional context helps retrieve and re-use words they’ve heard before.
4. Tell Short Stories and Leave Gaps
Tell a story in Marathi, then stop and let them fill in the blanks:
“Ekdaa ek elephant hotaa… (Your turn!)”
“Mag tyaney kaay kela?”
This activates vocabulary, sentence structure, and curiosity—all at once.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
If your child says “mee jaato” (I’m going), that’s a win. Don’t correct it into “mee yeto.. Asa mhan” immediately. Acknowledge the effort.
Confidence builds before correctness. Let them speak freely first—grammar / culture can come later.
6. Code-Mixing is Okay (and Helpful!)
Let them speak half Marathi, half English. It’s a stepping stone, not a failure. For example:
“Aajee gave mala one big chocolate!”
This keeps them engaged without the fear of “getting it wrong.”
7. Expose Them to Kids Speaking Marathi
One reason kids don’t speak is because they think they’re the only ones their age using it. Break that isolation with:
- YouTube videos featuring Marathi-speaking kids
- Old Saregama Lil’ Champs Videos if they like music
- Gangadhar Tipre videos (sit with them for a few episodes)
- Bokya Satbande Movie / Clips
- Marathi Travel Vlogs of their favourite cities (it is a lot more relatable than old content)
- Online group classes like ours at Speak Marathi
- Playdates or virtual sessions with cousins in India
It shows them Marathi isn’t “just for grownups.”
8. Let Them Teach You a Word
Flip the script. Ask: “Teach me a Marathi word you know.” Kids love being experts. It gives them ownership over the language.
9. Use Audio Repetition Techniques
Songs, rhymes, and chants help children retain sentence patterns. Repeat fun lines often:
- “Waaghaachi Maavshi, aahey kashee haooshi!
Oondeer taloon khaate oopaasachya divshee”
Sound patterns stick faster than isolated vocabulary.
At Speak Marathi, We Help Kids Use What They Already Know
Our students come to us understanding 40–60% of what’s said in Marathi. By the end of a few sessions, they start speaking because we build on what they already know—with confidence, storytelling, games, and conversation.
Want to activate your child’s Marathi fluency? Let’s get started—together.
Explore our live online classes