Posted on July 20, 2022 by Rosario Arán
Providing the best education for our children is probably one of the most important of a parent’s desires. The tools that a whole-rounded education provided for their future and ability to thrive in the world we live in are undeniable. Language learning is part of robust education, and being bilingual opens multiple doors for adults and children. For example, in Argentina, we grow up knowing that learning English is vital for future career opportunities, and I have learned that to be true (after all, I am writing this article in English). As a teenager, knowing English meant being able to understand the lyrics of the songs I listened to, having the chance to communicate with people from around the world and learn about their cultures, and reading stories that weren’t translated into my native language.
Due to immigration and the increase of migrant communities, the US and Canada are experiencing the parents’ willingness for their kids to speak a foreign language because they are most likely to have Asian, African, or Latino friends, and recognize the advantages of learning a new language. According to Statistics Canada, in the 10 years between 2006 and 206, the rate of bilingualism in Canada increased from 17% to 27%. In 2016, In the United States, 22% of children -12 million kids- spoke a language other than English at home. The trend of raising bilingual kids is still on the rise, and a proof of that is Steven Spielberg’s decision not to put subtitles in his West Side Story remake to address the role of Spanish within the movie and the country.
However, as evident as the benefits of knowing other languages are, raising children fully bilingual -which is not the same thing as learning another language- can become a challenge for parents. Sure, enrolling them in language classes is a starting point but turning them into bilingual kids is actually when your kids can express themselves in both languages equally confidently. For sure, it is easier if at least one of the parents has a heritage language incorporated already rather than two parents who speak one language. However, if you are deciding to raise bilingual kids, then not knowing the language shouldn’t be a barrier. Right the opposite, parents might end up learning too!
So how can parents overcome these challenges? There are a couple of strategies that will lead to success. By success, I mean to have children who enjoy the experience of being involved in a different language and accessing information that otherwise wouldn’t be there for them.
Strategies for Raising Bilingual Kids
Speak the language at home
There is always a predominant language, because they have daily interactions at schools, in their neighborhoods and friends. They are surrounded by one language, which becomes the main one. Encouraging your kids to practice and speak the other language they are learning should be done at home. It means parents are talking to their children in their heritage language and exposing them to the radio, music, and playing games in other languages.
Enrolling them in bilingual schools
If you want to raise your children bilingual, seek bilingual schools that offer their curricula combining two languages. It might not be the cheapest option, but if you are investing in their education, choosing a bilingual school can be an essential item to take into account. Bilingual schools often have native speakers among their teachers, and some specific subjects are taught in the second language. However, if there aren’t bilingual schools in your town, try to find a class or a teacher that can teach them one or two hours per week and support these lessons with immersive learning at home.
Immerse in the language through TV shows
Kids need to have fun, and TV shows are an excellent resource to combine language immersion and entertainment. Oznoz is a resource to access more than 2,000 hours of curated content appropriate for children because, even if you want them to practice the language, what they watch does matter. Some TV shows are available in multiple languages, so there will be an option for your child too.
Start when they are babies!
The younger they listen to a different language, the more natural it will become for them to switch from one to another. Please don’t wait until your children reach a certain age to start exposing them to a new language because you are afraid they might get confused while learning their language. More often than not, children who have one of their parents speaking a different language do experience the language from the moment they are born. The impact of that simple action is a bilingual child.
Support your child
Children might feel frustrated or even in denial about learning a new language because it can feel a chord. However, it is all about supporting your child and finding the time to focus on the fun aspects of language immersion. Allow your kid to use the language based on their interests rather than imposing what might sound interesting to you. Maybe certain songs are great for you, but your kid perhaps would instead prefer to sing a catchy intro song in a TV show that works best for them, and is easy to recognize. Take the time to understand and find what fits best for your child.
There are no specific rules to follow, but these strategies are an excellent way to start for parents who want to raise their kids bilingual. The key is to spark their interest, whether it comes natural in the household or whether it is a parent’s choice and needs to be encouraged through external triggers. Usually, when kids learn a new language, they will find joy in discovering a whole new world that hides behind that language: knowledge, music, tv shows, books, sports, games, and friendships.