Developing Bilingualism/Multilingualism in Children

Bilingualism is becoming increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Research shows that bilingualism and multilingualism offer numerous benefits to children, including improved cognitive function, enhanced cultural awareness, and better job prospects. As a result, many parents and caregivers are looking for effective ways to promote bilingualism/multilingualism in their children. If you are one of them, rest assured that there is no better gift you can give your children than the opportunity to be multilingual. In this blog, I will try to point out various techniques and strategies for promoting bilingualism/multilingualism in children.

• Choose a Method Which Works Best for Your Family

There are many different methods for promoting bilingualism or multilingualism in children, and the choice of method will depend on the specific circumstances of each family.

• For instance, in some families both parents speak the same language, but live in a country where another language is spoken (for example: both German parents, living in Dubai). This family might opt for a method where one language is spoken inside the house (German) and the other one outside the house (English). In this way, the child will make a connection and distinguish between the circumstances of using both languages.

According to speech therapists, it is important to note that in these cases it is crucial for the child to first learn the main family language and later on through kindergarten and school, they will add the second language and become bilingual. This is because if there are any delays in speech development in the mother tongue, they will probably be transferred to the other language too. If the child starts daycare/kindergarten early on, before one year of age, and spends 6-8 hours there, they will be bilingual from the start.

Similarly, this method of one language inside the house and the other one outside can be used in families where one parent speaks a foreign language, but they live in a monolingual environment of the other parent’s language (for example: Spanish and Serbian parents, living in Serbia). In this case, the ‘minority’ language would be spoken at home (Spanish), if the other parent is also fluent in that language. Also, more attention should be given to books, nursery rhymes, songs, in the ‘minority’ language. 

Families where the parents are both fluent in two same languages can choose to speak one language on odd days and the other on even days or divide them between morning and afternoon. 

• In some families, such as ours, both parents have different mother tongues and live in a country where a third language is spoken. The method which works best for our family is the ‘one parent, one language’ method. I speak to our son in Serbian, and my husband speaks to him in Arabic. However, we communicate with each other in English. In this way, the child comes to understand that there is a language for mom, a language for dad, and another language they use with each other.

Since our son spends most of the time with me, Serbian will be the dominant language at the beginning, However, we live in the UAE where both English and Arabic are used as official languages, and one of them will eventually take over in being dominant. In some time, we will incorporate a method where Serbian is spoken with mom, Arabic with dad, but English when we are all together. In this way, we will try to keep practicing all three languages to promote language development. Our son’s Russian grandmother speaks to him in Russian and we wholeheartedly support and encourage it, even though she lives in Canada and is unable to teach him continuously. While there may be limitations to his Russian language exposure, we believe that any knowledge he gains from this experience is valuable.

Regardless of the method chosen, consistency in language exposure and a supportive language-rich environment are essential for promoting strong language skills in children. By choosing the right method and being consistent in language exposure, parents and caregivers can help children develop strong language skills that will benefit them in many ways throughout their lives.

• Be Consistent in Your Approach

1. Start Early

Introducing a second language early is one of the most effective ways to promote bilingualism in children. Research shows that infants as young as six months old can distinguish between different languages, the same way they can distinguish between a male/female voice, accents, faces, etc. Therefore, it’s essential to start speaking to your child in multiple languages from an early age. This helps them get used to the different sounds and intonations of different languages.However, just because parents speak to children in different languages, doesn’t mean they will automatically learn it.

Tips:

• Speak to your child in both languages consistently
• Use songs, rhymes, and stories in both languages
• Play music in both languages
• Attend cultural events and activities in both languages

Personal experience tip: 

One thing that might make it easy for the child is to have a separate shelf with books in the two languages. In that way, if mom or dad come to read with them, they automatically know which shelf to go to. This eliminates confusion and gives the child a sense of control and knowledge.

2. Incorporate Language Learning into Everyday Activities

Incorporating language learning into everyday activities is another effective way to promote bilingualism in children. This involves using daily activities, such as cooking or grocery shopping, as opportunities to teach children new words and phrases in a second language.

Tips:

• Name objects around the house in both languages
• Play language-learning games during car rides

3. Hiring a Bilingual Nanny or Tutor

Hiring a bilingual nanny or tutor is another effective way to promote bilingualism in children. A bilingual nanny or tutor can provide consistent exposure to a second language and help children develop language skills more quickly.

Tips:

• Look for nannies or tutors who are native speakers of the second language
• Consider hiring a nanny or tutor who provides language immersion
• Set language-learning goals and expectations with the nanny or tutor

4. Enrolling in Language Immersion Programs

Enrolling in language immersion programs is another effective way to promote bilingualism in children. Language immersion programs provide children with exposure to a second language in a structured and immersive environment.

Tips:

• Look for language immersion programs that focus on immersion and interaction
• Consider programs that offer cultural activities and events
• Set language-learning goals and expectations with the program director

5. Leveraging Technology for Language Learning (if you opt for screen time)

Personally, we have decided not to expose our children to screens for the time being, but leveraging technology for language learning is becoming increasingly popular. There are a variety of language-learning apps, games, and programs available that can help children learn a second language. I would maybe use them cautiously and with a limited time frame after the age of 3.

However, please note and be aware that exposing young children to screens and programs in a different language at an early age does not bring benefits and will not help children be multilingual. On the contrary, it will bring way more damage in terms of their cognitive development. Children might learn some words in a foreign language (nouns, verb, adjectives or some phrases), but they will not learn how to communicate effectively and it does not mean they are multilingual.

Tips:

• Use language-learning apps designed for children
• Watch TV shows or movies in the second language
• Use language-learning programs that offer interactive games and activities

Quick Recap of Practical Tips and Strategies for Promoting Bilingualism

• Speak to your child in both languages consistently
• Use bilingual books, toys, and games
• Attend cultural events and activities
• Set language-learning goals and expectations
• Use language-learning apps, games, and programs, if you opt for screen time
• Hire a bilingual nanny or tutor
• Enroll in language immersion programs

Conclusion

Promoting bilingualism in children is essential in today’s globalized world. By introducing a second language early, creating a language-rich environment, incorporating language learning into everyday activities, hiring a bilingual nanny or tutor, enrolling in language immersion programs, and leveraging technology for language learning, parents and caregivers can help children develop language skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Start implementing some of these techniques today and watch your child’s language skills grow!

One of the most important things to have in mind is that bilingualism or multilingualism does not mean that we speak both or all languages perfectly, but that we are fluent in them. If you get advice that it’s best to teach them one language properly and only them start the second language, it might take a very long time and your children might miss this amazing window of opportunity for their cognitive development.