How to raise bilingual children. Myths, facts and my experience.

It’s a fact, proven by many kinds of research from the last decade: children are perfectly capable of learning two native languages at the same time. Bilingual children develop their language skills in a way that benefits logical reasoning and association, which is very positive for solving problems.

Some researchers have interviewed bilingual children and they say that they like to speak both languages. It’s positive for their identity, for playing with other children, communicating with their family, etc.

The problem is: some old, poor researches from the past have contributed to form some myths around bilingual children. Here are some myths and answers:

1. Bilingual children start talking later. Yes and No. Children are different. Some talk first, some walk first. My child started to talk much earlier than many monolingual children her age. And if your child starts talking a little later, it doesn’t mean anything. They’ll learn to talk at their own time.
2. Bilingual children get mentally tired. No. It’s you, adult, who can get tired when exposed to a new language for many hours in a row. It has happened to me in the beginning. Children take it naturally.
3. Only babies and small children can be really bilingual. No. Experts explain that children of any age can build a second language system alongside the first.

As a language instructor, a mother and member of a family with many bilingual children, what I believe helps raising bilingual children is:

Take the responsibility and be consistent. It won’t come naturally by osmosis.

Talk to the baby as you talk to someone else in your family. Use proper words. You are presenting your native language to your child. If you just babble, that’s what your baby will learn. Don’t underestimate your baby’s intelligence. Say, for example: “You seem hungry. Mommy has prepared delicious banana and avocado mousse. I hope you like it. See this yellow spoon?”

EACH PARENT SHOULD SPEAK ONLY THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE WHEN SPEAKING TO THEIR CHILD DIRECTLY. Be consistent. What parents speak to each other doesn’t matter much. No problem if you use three languages at dinner table as long as you keep the same language when addressing your children.

Never mix languages when talking to your children. You must be consistent. Otherwise, they may be confused or even reject your mother tongue. I’ve seen that happen. Children are perfectly able to look at the father and say something in the father’s language and then look at the mother and say exactly the same thing in her language.

If the child makes a mistake in a sentence and mixes the languages, don’t worry. Repeat the sentence correctly and ask him/her to repeat after you. Then move on. It’s very common to happen with pre-scholars. When they develop their vocabulary, the mistakes will be gone.

Don’t be ashamed to speak your native language in front of others. Many immigrant parents say they don’t want to seem arrogant or unintegrated. I know the feeling, but please don’t be ashamed. Firstly, you don’t really know what others are thinking. It’s normal to stare at something you don’t know or understand. What I usually do is smile, explain that I was advised pedagogically to speak only my native language with my child. Secondly, Norwegians usually support the idea and even compliment me. They see it as a gift for my child. An advantage in this globalized world.

Good tips for reading books and watching films in your native language: https://makingnorwaymyhome.com/tips-for-bilingual-children-in-norway-part-ii-dicas-boas-pra-voce-que-fala-portugues-e-mora-na-noruega/

Your native language is your children’s inheritance. It’s their right to get it. As bilingual family, it’s our job to give our children the best. They deserve it. Besides, it’s so cute to watch our children have full conversations with our families, isn’t it?

Tell me about you. Are you succeeding in speaking your original language with your kids? What is most challenging for you?

If you like these tips, please share this post on Facebook, Whatsapp, etc, so that others can also benefit. Let’s spread the good word. 😉