10 Steps to Raising a Multilingual
Child
The truth is you raise a bilingual
or multilingual baby the same way as a monolingual baby -- you talk to them!
Infants acquire language; they can't really be taught. However, you can
certainly improve conditions, avoid pitfalls, and help the process along!
- Agree on multilingualism
- Know what to expect and when
- How many languages -- what is practical?
- Decide which language system works for you
- Don't wait -- now is the perfect time!
- Declare your intentions
- Establish a support network
- Get relevant materials
- Set your goals, but remain flexible
- Have patience and keep going
Most families that have the
opportunity to raise a bilingual or multilingual child can come to a amicable
agreement whether to pursue it or not. But, sometimes we are asked, "What
do I do if my partner isn't supportive of me speaking my native language to our
child?" This is very sad but also understandable. There can be a fear of
being left out, not knowing "the secret language", or concerns if
it's good for baby. Many of these common misconceptions are answered on this site, as well as the key advantages
you can list when arguing your case. Some brave souls keep going despite lack
of support. We salute you -- wanting to speak to your child in your native
language is something your child will benefit from, guaranteed. And in the
meantime, your significant other may well come around. Some parents go off on
the other extreme and speak a language that is not their mother tongue to baby
from birth, just to provide early language exposure. Luckily, most couples find
a way that's acceptable to all parties, as well as beneficial for the baby.
Some people just want to plunge into
raising a multilingual baby, especially if bilingualism and multilingualism are
common in their community. This lassiez-faire approach is great, as it
means the parents are comfortable and committed to the concept, and this
attitude promotes learning. However, for others, multilingualism can turn the
prior communication pattern in the family on its heels, so it pays to be
well-prepared. Also, informed parents spot warning signs
earlier and know what to do when problems arise such as speech and hearing
difficulties, one language lagging behind, or the child's refusal to speak a
language. Educate yourself about your baby's language milestones, and you will no doubt marvel at these just as you cherish
the first time he rolls over, sits up, and takes his first step.
What do you want to accomplish with
multilingualism? Do you want to share the heritage language of your family or
just help your child learn a foreign language without the necessity for study?
The motivations are many and varied, but the practicalities are similar. First,
how many languages you choose depends upon the practical elements in the household. For example, can someone within the
immediate family provide meaningful language exposure in another language? Do
you live in an area where there are plenty of foreign speakers?
Generally, the number of languages
within the household is the number of languages baby gets on his plate, maybe
with one extra. So, most parents who don't speak a foreign language themselves
typically don't go beyond bilingualism for their child. On the other hand, when
each parent speaks a different foreign language, they may venture for those
two, the community language and possibly one more, i.e. four languages.
Beyond four simultaneous languages,
the success rate starts to fall significantly. Researchers claim that a child
needs to be exposed to a language 30% of their waking time to actively speak
it. Regardless of how many languages, you do need regular exposure and creating
a need for baby to use them -- plus the ability to maintain that for alt least
the first five years of the child's life. If you're able to provide that for
the languages you want her to learn, go for it!
Your family should discuss a few
issues to make sure everyone is on the same page. Who should speak what
language to baby? The two most common and among the most successful language systems are One Person One Language (OPOL) and Minority Language at
Home (ML@H). If you have the opportunity and desire, you could add a language
beyond what the family provides through an outside source like an immersion
program, a nanny or au pair. This is perhaps the easiest way for parents who
don't speak any foreign languages to give early language exposure to their
baby. Is there a time specific rule you'd like to apply? For example, both
parents will speak the minority language during the weekend even though one
parent may only be a rudimentary speaker of the language. This is a perfectly
legitimate solution, as well. Actually, there are endless variations, and we
have an entire section in our discussion board on this subject alone.
The ideal time to start
multilingualism is even before your baby is born. Only recently, with
the help of modern technology, have researchers been able to actually see
what's going on inside the head of infants. As it turns out, a baby knows
important things about language even before birth, and he gains fundamental
verbal skills long before he utters his first word. So, why is it a bad idea to postpone it? You could say the brain is "primed" the first
three years of life with synapses at a peak, busily setting up the optimal
neural pathways to mediate language. This construction of the brain's language
chip continues, but at an ever-slowing rate until late childhood. Even if you
don't start from birth, the earlier is truly easier for both you and your
child. By the early teens, the baby's special abilities are completely gone. Besides, the younger the child, the
less likely they will care about blatant errors. They'll just happily chatter
away until your ears are ready to fall off. What better learning conditions can
you ask for?
Before your baby is born, everyone
will have an opinion about the names you're considering for your little one.
Once the name is given, most people drop the subject. The same is true of
multilingualism. Everyone will no doubt have an opinion before you start, but
once you begin, they will just accept it. The best tactic is simply to not ask
for support or approval from your friends and extended family. We've found it's
better to never open the door for negotiations -- simply inform them of your
decision. Most opposition you encounter can be politely ignored with a nod or a
smile. You might simply say, "That's interesting" or "That's a
good point." If it's someone whose opinion you really care about, gently
educate them. Well-informed explanations will go a long way. Dispelling common myths
on multilingualism and show them the advantages
instead, should help you persuade them.
Get your support from others like you.
Most things are more fun and rewarding if you share them with like-minded
people. Not only do you have a peer group to discuss the art of raising
multilingual children and benefit from the experiences of others, but you will
build a network of other speakers of your minority language. Equally important,
it gives your child the opportunity to hear, speak, and interact with other
children in the minority language. This is an enormous motivator for them (this
time, group pressure actually works in your favor!) And playgroups
are among the best and easiest ways to do it. They may even remain friends with
a few of the kids for a long time. Play friends are probably the best way to
ensure continuous language exposure over the years -- especially when Mom and
Dad lose the coolness factor.
Having books, music, movies, and
toys in your minority language is both fun and useful. There are other
household items such as place mats, tableware, posters, etc. that also are
helpful. Tangible items that can be played with, mouthed, and shaken will
provide a more realistic reminder to your child of the language. In our product section, we have
compiled a list of favorites among many parent-recommended products.
Unfortunately, there are many things
that can undermine the best laid language learning strategy. The most difficult
ones include divorce or loss of a parent. Less dire ones might be that your
Russian-speaking nanny just quit, or your child was wait listed at the
immersion preschool you had counted on. Each situation has to be evaluated, but
with flexibility you can get back on track. It's certainly not the end of the
world if your child gets less exposure to the minority language for a period of
time. She will remember what she has learned when you're able to increase the
language interaction again.
The dangerous threshold to avoid is refusal to speak. In this situation, you'll have to be creative and try to
find increased exposure to the minority language. Or, you may have to change your goals. Is passive knowledge sufficient for now? You can still
bring the language to active use later, and it will be much easier for your
child than for someone without the foundation you have already set. That, in
itself is a gift beyond measure. But whatever you do, keep your child in
contact with the language in some way!
Raising multilingual children does
require patience, and there will no doubt be frustrating times. But, of course,
parents of monolingual children experience frustration, too! Don't worry if
your child doesn't speak his languages as quickly as his friends or with the
same proficiency in all of the languages. Reality doesn't always fit our plans.
Focus on the success, marvel at what your child can do, and praise,
praise, praise! Remember that if you don't try, you don't accomplish
anything. Rest assured that when your child says, "I want a hug" in
your own language, you'll almost cry with pride. At that moment, it won't
matter that it took some extra effort or that you had to wait a bit for the
result.
Raising a multilingual child is an
immensely rewarding experience. Many of the world's parents are raising their
children with more than one language, so go for it!
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