How To Raise a Bilingual Child

Who are bilingual children? The Austrian philosopher L. Wittgenstein in his "Tractatus Logico-Philosophic" wrote: "The boundaries of my language are the boundaries of my world."

The philosopher considered linguistics as the way of knowing the world. The more vast the linguistic base of a person is, the greater is the personality. One of the main advantages of bilingualism fits into this concept – knowing and using two languages, the child has broader life prospects.

How to raise bilingual children? In our article, in this practical guide for parents, we will tell you how bilingualism develops in children and give advice to parents how to help their child learn two languages.

Who is a bilingual child

Can babies learn 2 languages at the same time ? Bilingualism, knowing two languages, is the ability to speak two languages. A person equally knows both languages, understands them, uses them actively. There are both individual cases of bilingualism, and mass ones, when the whole country or any part of it communicates in two languages.

A prime example of mass bilingualism is Ukraine, where 20% of children use two languages at the same time​​- Ukrainian ( official) and Russian. In the US, 28% of children are considered bilingual, and globally more than 45%.

It is worth to distinguish bilingualism from the general knowledge of foreign languages. It's simple: bilingual children start speaking and thinking in both languages ​​at the same time. They can express their feelings equally well in each of them.

It is believed that the normal age range for learning two languages ​​is from 3 to 15 years. But all researchers agree to one point – the earlier you start, the better.

How bilingualism is formed

How to raise a bilingual child? Bilingualism originates from the migration flows in the world. People move to other countries, bring children with them or give birth to children there. The foreign language environment does not frighten the younger generation. Even if children hear only their native language at home , in their new environment they quickly learn an -unknown language they never knew before.

When do bilingual babies start talking? Bilingualism can be formed without moving anywhere. For example, by hiring a native tutor for a child, that is the one for whom the language being studied is native.

A family is another factor of the of bilingualism developing. If the mother and father of the child have different native languages, then he will successfully learn both and will speak the one that is preferable for each of the parents.

Facts and myths about bilinguals

To better understand if bilingualism brings benefit or harm, you need to demystify this concept. Let's examine the following :

• Myth: Bilingualism provokes developmental delays in children speech and thinking.
• Truth: Bilingual children develop at the same pace as monolingual children. Even if the baby confuses words or mixes a part of a word from one language with a part of a word from another, this is not considered a sign of abnormal speech development. It won't be long before he can easily differentiate the vocabulary of each language.
• Myth: Learning two languages ​​at the same time can confuse a child.
• Truth: Yes, children can confuse grammar rules and other language patterns from time to time . But by the age of 4-5, these difficulties are in the past. The better a child learns both languages, the clearer distinction will be between them.
• Myth: Children with speech problems cannot learn the second language.
• True: these children usually have more difficulties when learning two languages, but this does not mean that they are overpowering. You will have to spend more time to achieve the same high level of proficiency in both languages.
• Myth: Bilingual children can have problems at school.
• Truth: Numerous studies have proven that bilingualism has a range of academic benefits. Among them are the valuable multitasking skills, cognitive flexibility, and finding the right solution quickly.
• Myth: Children who just know a second language are already bilingual.
• Truth: To be considered bilingual, you need to know and use both languages on nearly the same level . Adominant language is quite possible, but the regular practice and a vast vocabulary of the second language is unconditional for bilingualism.

Advantages and disadvantages of being bilingual

If you have not yet decided how many languages ​​to teach your child, check out the pros and cons of bilingual education.

Advantages

1. A child who knows two languages ​​equally well has a competitive advantage in the labor market. Bilingual people are more willing to take on prestigious jobs, they earn more than employees who j know only one of the foreign languages.
2. Bilinguals are known for their cognitive flexibility. Their brain is used to instantly switch between languages, so its cognitive functions are developed at a higher level: better memory, faster perception and information processing, improved ability to make the right decisions in a critical situation.
3. Regardless of the type of bilingualism (migratory, everyday, artificial), super efforts are not required to learn languages. With the migration type, the language environment will help, with the everyday type, native learning. As for the artificial creation of a bilingual environment, the efforts a child undertakes does not matter much, the only thing that matters is the right choice of a teacher/school.
4. Nelson Mandela said: “If you communicate with a person in a language that he understands, you are talking to his mind. If you speak to him in his native language, you speak to his heart." Bilingual children feel comfortable in the company of those they speak the same language with. They can express their thoughts and feelings, demonstrate knowledge and make jokes in a friendly way. All these are unachievable for those who learnt the basics of a foreign language and can speak at an elementary level only.
5. Having mastered two languages, the child will easily learn the third. The ability for foreign languages ​​of bilingual children has been confirmed by numerous studies. The ability to quickly memorize and use unusual vocabulary will open up the opportunity for an ordinary bilingual to become a real polyglot.

Disadvantages

1. To immerse yourself into the language environment, you need to read books, watch movies and TV programs, listen to music, communicate with native speakers. It is necessary to collect an appropriate library, find companions or teachers who will help polish speaking l and writing communication practice, etc.
2. According to the research, the vocabulary of those who speak one language is wider than that of bilinguals, but this can be corrected by means of special classes, games, and literature that will help to fill in the gaps in the vocabulary.
3. If a child's parents speak different languages ​​(for example, a Spanish father speaks Spanish and an English mother speaks English), then the child will associate the language with the parent. He may feel defensive when his mother attempts to address him in Spanish, even if the situation requires it.

How to raise a bilingual children

How to raise a bilingual children? There is a fundamental truth: the larger the language volume, the faster it can be learned. There are the so-called language inputs – sources of foreign vocabulary. These can be books, movies, communication with other people in the language being studied, study, travel and even computer games. The number of inputs and the degree of their impact on bilingual children make it possible to predict both the vocabulary and the speed of language acquisition.

You should start by increasing the number of language inputs. Try to have as many of them as possible at the first stages and for in-depth study of the language increase the impact intensity. Example:

1. The child learns English with the help of mother (native speaker) + books + lessons at school + music + literature.
2. The child already knows the language, but it is necessary to expand the vocabulary. Therefore, we deepen the input points: you need to not only read a book in English, but also discuss it with the teacher and write an essay based on the plot.

What else can be done:

• You can make progress in everyday language learning with the help of loved ones. People from different generations often have different vocabulary, and the more variations (dialects, slang, professional terms, obsolete words) are available for a child, the better.
• Use the approach "one person – one language" in mixed families (parents from different countries), as well as "one situation – one language" for the migratory type of children's bilingualism (native language at home, studied language in society).
• Systematize knowledge with the help of a teacher. No matter how well the child communicates in the languages ​​being studied, the grammar and spelling rules are best learned in an academic way.
• If interest in one of the languages gradually decreases , stimulate it on by taking a child in a group / section where this language will be exclusively spoken. A combination of hobbies and learning will bring a good result.

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Don't scold a bilingual child for making mistakes, mixing languages, or thinking too long about phrases. He is only learning, so he can make mistakes, but this is not a reason to abandon bilingualism.

On the contrary, keep up the good work! The possibilities of the child's brain are so wide that you will soon be pleasantly surprised by the progress.