Raising bilingual or multilingual children who are able to speak more than one language is a long term commitment. There are several models for teaching children to speak multiple languages.
Benefits of Raising Bilingual or Multilingual Children
There can be many upsides for children who learn more than one language. The potential benefits include:
- Academic performance and greater variety of career opportunities later in life
- Strengthened bonds with family members who speak a language other than English
- Greater sense of connection to family heritage
- Understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
How to Help Your Child Learn
For families where one or more family members speak a language other than English, there are two common ways for children to learn.
If you and your partner speak different languages, you can each speak to your child primarily in that language. This can also work for extended family such as grandparents, aunts or uncles if they regularly spend time with your child. This is sometimes referred to as the one-person, one language model.
If you and your child’s other parent live together and both speak a language other than English, then you can primarily use that language at home with your child.
This is sometimes referred to as the heritage language model.
If the adults in your family are all ‘mono-lingual’, meaning they only speak English, it’s still possible for your child to learn a second language.
This approach takes a little more commitment as you’ll need to seek out ways to ‘immerse’ your child in that language. It will require a good teacher and a good amount of patience!
If you take this approach, look for opportunities for your child to spend time with native speakers in social settings. This will help your child to learn the language more quickly and in more depth.
Ways to Enhance Learning
Here are some ideas to enhance your child’s learning of a language:
- Look for play groups or other social settings where that language is primarily used by participants
- Play games with your child in that language
- Teach your child songs or play music in that language
- Watch TV shows or movies or listen to radio shows in that language (age appropriate of course)
- Connect with friends or loved ones who speak that language either in person or via phone or video chat