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Raise A
Bilingual Child: 5 Strategies to Jump Start Your Child’s Second
Language Learning
Presented by Beth Butler/Creator of the
BOCA BETH
Program
Remember those language
learning labs in junior high school? Those labs with headsets where we
were asked to listen and then repeat back to the taped voice of the
instructor? That was absolutely one of the least effective methods used
to teach a second language! Not to mention it was at a point in our
lives when our brain was no longer capable of acquiring a new language
easily. Combine those labs with workbooks and lots of verb conjugation
and you have generations of students who came out of a system unable to
speak a second language.
Today many of us realize
the importance of raising our children to be bilingual. We ourselves
have been frustrated in certain situations to not have a handle on any
language other than our native English. Whether we were passed over for
a job opportunity because we did not speak another language, or we
missed a pay increase because we had no bilingual skills or we simply
found ourselves wishing we could communicate at an ethnic restaurant –
all of us have most likely wished for the fluency of another language.
Many of us know that the
secret to success is introducing the new language early in life. The
most recent research suggests that between the ages of birth and five is
the optimum time to begin the second language journey. What most of us
do not know, however, is how to bring this language learning into our
homes and our daily lives.
Following are five key
strategies for jump starting your young child’s second language
learning:
-
Start the second
language learning early. Did you know that the most recent research
suggests starting at birth and really emphasizes the first five
years of life as the most optimum time to introduce languages to a
child? A study out of Texas states that five languages up until the
age of five can be learned simultaneously to one child. I personally
encourage playing music CDs during a mom’s pregnancy and then
talking to your baby from the moment of birth in two or more
languages if possible. If you and your family speak only language
then begin introducing a new language with bilingual music CDs and
DVDs.
-
Look for a bilingual
language learning series that provides you and your child with the
following four components: visual cues (in the form of a DVD, board
book or language cards), music fun (in the form of bilingual music
CDs and/or DVDs with music incorporated throughout the informal
language lessons), beginning reading (in the form of board books,
language cards and/or computer software/games) and verbal exchange
(in the form of DVDs that prompt occasional responses from your
child, friends who speak the target language and/or computer
software that allows for verbal acquisition). All four components
are necessary for a well-rounded and fun language program. Always
keep in mind that you should not be required to have second language
experience or a teaching degree to use these products you choose
during your daily routine.
-
Repeat, repeat,
repeat!!! Repetition is the key for all the learning that takes
place with your child. Think back to how you learned to speak
English. Your parents pointed things out to you and said the word
for those items again and again in English. Now, as a parent and a
teacher, you can not only provide the English word, but you can also
begin to introduce the new language word for that same item. Saying
the words in both languages – side-by-side – provides a point of
reference for the child and allows language acquisition to continue
in the native language while learning a new language. This format is
referred to as a bilingual format and is one of the best methods to
use with young children ages birth – five.
-
Have fun and be
patient! Try to never force the new language learning on your child.
Gently guide your child along this second language journey. Your
child may not verbalize for months in the new language. Keep in mind
that your child’s brain is processing all of this information,
wiring it for later language learning. Show a high level of
confidence yourself. Even if you do not speak the target language
well you are your child’s best teacher. Surround yourself with great
tools to bring the learning to life and then remember that smiling
works wonders with kids!
-
Show your child that
you respect other cultures and value the ability to speak other
languages. Make a point to attend multi-cultural events that bring
to life the food, music, dance, arts and people of other cultures –
reinforcing to your child that English is not the only language
important to their future travels in our global society and that the
United States is only a small part of a big and beautiful world! We
are our children’s role models. If you show that others are
important to you and that you value what they stand for and what
they represent, then your child will also show respect for those
people and the things important to them.
Giving your child the gift
of a second language before elementary school is one of the most
wonderful gifts you could ever give him. Making the language learning
process easy on you as a busy parent is one of the best things you can
do for yourself. The tools are out there – you just need to do a little
searching for that perfect fit for you and your familia/family!
About the Author:
Beth Butler is the creator of the BOCA BETH Language Learning Series for
young children. Find out how fun and easy it can be to raise a bilingual
child. Sample the BOCA BETH bilingual music and movies for free at
http://www.bocabeth.com
Call toll free 1.877.825.2622 or 1.813.244.1432 |
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