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The advantages of language learning -

Perhaps one or both parents speaks a minority language as their native tongue, or perhaps you just want to give your child the professional and social advantages of speaking more than one language. Either way, encouraging language skills will be a benefit for your child!

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Start early -

Generally speaking, it's best to start introducing your child to other languages as soon as possible. For many parents, that will mean from birth. But if that ship has sailed, don't panic!

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'Critical period' -

While many cognitive scientists point to a 'critical period' in early language learning, a 2018 study by MIT suggests that children can attain proficiency on par with a native speaker as long as they begin to learn the language before the age of 10.

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Different approaches -

No two families are alike, but there are a number of approaches that many bilingual families will adopt.

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One person, one language -

If you and the other parent speak different languages, the one person, one language approach is an option. For example, if your native language is English and your partner's is Italian, you might each speak to the child in your mother tongue.

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Multiple languages -

This can also work with three or more languages. For example, each parent speaks in their own language at home, and everybody speaks in a common language (e.g. English) outside the home.

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Native language as home language -

If you and your partner (if you have one) share a minority language (sometimes called a heritage language), you might choose to speak to your child exclusively in this language at home, and use the majority language outside the home.

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Language quantity -

The more a child is exposed to each of their languages, the higher the likelihood of successful language acquisition. Try to ensure that your child sees and hears as many words in the desired languages as possible.

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Language quality -

The quality of the language source can make a huge difference, too. For example, reading a book to a child in a foreign language can support their language development in a way that putting them in front of a dubbed cartoon will not.

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Reading to children -

Reading to children is always to be encouraged, and it can be particularly effective in learning languages. Reading to a child in the language you want them to learn will help them identify words early on.

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Face-to-face contact -

Face-to-face contact with native speakers of a language can be key to success. If friends and family living overseas speak the language you want your child to learn, encourage regular video calls.

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Encourage their interests -

Incorporate a child's interests into their language learning. For example, if you want them to learn Portuguese and they love soccer, watch the game with Portuguese commentary (many streaming platforms and cable TV channels have this option).

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Background noise -

Tune your radio to a station in the language you want your child to learn, and keep it on in the background while you go about daily tasks. As they get older, you can adapt this to suit their interests, e.g. music or sports channels.

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Family involvement -

The more speakers of a language that a child regularly interacts with, the better their chances of effectively learning that language. Encourage family members and friends who speak the other language to converse regularly with your child.

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Early learning language apps -

Children are more likely to learn a language effectively if they are engaged. Let them find language-learning apps that they genuinely enjoy, and treat it as something fun rather than a task to be endured.

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Age-appropriate interactions -

As your child grows older, you can encourage safe online interaction by setting up messaging, photo-sharing, etc. with friends and family who speak the other language.

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Benefits of a bilingual education -

Some schools run two-way immersion programs, in which students of two different native languages are taught in the same classroom, with content in both languages. Research suggests this can help overall academic achievement as well as language learning.

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Community activities -

If this type of school is not an option, there may be community resources to help. Look for after-school clubs, playgroups, and multilingual or bilingual learning programs that support your child's use of the other language.

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Set up playdates -

Social media can be a huge help in finding other families who speak the language you want your child to learn. Set up playdates to expand their social group and encourage them to communicate in the other language!

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Make use of libraries -

Head to the library and look for age-appropriate books and resources in the other language. As a bonus, you may well meet other speakers of the language while you're there!

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Musical activities -

Young children are usually very receptive to music. Singing and dancing to music in the other language is a great way to get them involved, and melody can help with memory retention.

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Play and games -

Play games with your child in the other language. This will make it fun, as well as encouraging them to follow the instructions in order to play along.

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Word-based games -

A child's competitive streak can make games a great way to encourage language-learning in older children. Narrow in on games with a focus on language, such as quiz board games.

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Family activities -

Encourage activities with extended family to support the learning of a shared minority language. You can use that shared language during holidays and other special occasions, for example.

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Let the child lead the way -

Take cues from your child to see which types of learning activities hold their attention. If it becomes a chore, they are unlikely to actively engage. Make it fun and they're much more likely to want to carry on.

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Keep it consistent -

Consistency is key when it comes to learning another language. If you're enthusiastic one week and half-hearted the next, your child will be less likely to make steady gains.

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Encouraging older children -

You may find that your child becomes shy or embarrassed about speaking in a minority language as they grow older. If you usually speak to them in that language, continue to do so even if they don't respond in kind. Just hearing the language consistently will be a benefit.

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Language immersion -

If it's an option, traveling to the country or region whose language you want your child to learn can really fire up their enthusiasm for speaking.

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Find what works -

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to raising bilingual or multilingual children. The approach you take will depend on your family setup, your own languages, the resources available, and the area you live in. But by providing consistent, nurturing support, you'll be setting your child up for success.

Sources: (Psychology Today) (Raising Children Network) (KIDS COUNT Data Center) (MIT)

See also: The world's most endangered languages

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