How to raise a bilingual child?
The many cognitive, academic, and
social benefits of learning foreign languages have encouraged many parents
around the world to seek tips on how to raise a bilingual child. Although this
effort is not as simple as reading Happy Ent flashcards or hoping to memorize
vocabulary, it is still much easier for young children to learn than for
adults. To take advantage of this unique time in life, bilingual parents must
make a conscious effort to help their children learn. Since families and life
situations are different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so here are
five of Garbardi's favorite ways to raise a bilingual child.
1. One parent, one language (OPOL)
For families where each parent is fluent in a different language, the one parent, one language (also called "one person, one language" or OPOL) approach is a good choice. As the name suggests, parents who practice OPOL speak to their children only in their mother tongue, both at home and when they are out and about. For example, a French mother speaks French and a Cuban father speaks Spanish. When the family lives in a country where the mother tongue is one of their languages (e.g. Spain) then that language becomes the majority language and the children will naturally use it regularly and become more fluent. In order for the child to become bilingual, our French mother living in Spain has to be very careful that her children practice enough in French, known as the minority language. (Many experts say at least 25 hours a week is necessary.) Getting resources like books and videos and regularly interacting with other minority language speakers (including family members, friends, or babysitters) will also help. Happy Ant website suggest you to study How parents deal with a bilingual Kid article.
2. Minority language at home
Another option is the minority
language at home. This technique can be used when both parents are fluent in
one or more of their mother tongues. For example, an Italian mother raises her
children in Sydney with an Australian husband who also speaks Italian. In this
case, the whole family uses the Italian language at home, and if one of the
parents does not have a complete command of the minority language, the feeling
of comfort among the family is lost and language mistakes are made. This family
uses English outside the home. It means that they should speak the language of
the majority outside the house. Parents who agree to use their non-native
language at home (the Australian father in our example) may struggle with the
feeling that he does not naturally interact with his children in the same way
as his mother tongue, and children who are not yet They don't go to school,
they have more contact with the minority language of the society, and when they
start school, they will be a little behind their peers due to their weakness in
the majority language.
3. Move to another country
One parent's job migration may be the
way to save their children's language. In this case, a family moving to a
foreign country speaks the mother tongue (or parents' language) at home, while
the children learn and speak the language of their adopted country at school or
with friends. A big advantage of this approach is that children progress
through a foreign school system, effectively giving them the experience of
studying abroad before they reach university age. When these children
(sometimes called "third culture kids") grow up, they usually find
the idea of moving abroad for work or education less scary.