The Pros and Cons of Raising a Bilingual Child

Gogabo
Gogabo
Aug 9, 2017 · 3 min read

Children here in Canada have the unique opportunity to start language immersion programs at a young age. In our increasingly globalized world, knowing multiple languages and being able to understand and communicate with other nationalities has never been more important. But are there any disadvantages to raising a bilingual child? Is there a limit to how many languages you should teach your child? We decided to look at the arguments on both sides to gain a better understanding of the pros and cons of raising a bilingual child.

How is bilingualism defined?

To put it most simply, being bilingual is having the ability to express oneself with relative ease in two different languages. Bilingualism is certainly a sliding scale; speakers may be perfectly fluent in both languages, or may feel more comfortable speaking one over the other. It is very common for speakers to have one language that is dominant due to speaking the languages in different contexts. For example, a child being raised by Polish immigrants in Canada may speak English at school but Polish at home. The different environments will have an influence on the vocabulary that the child picks up and their confidence in speaking the language.

What are some advantages to raising my child bilingual?

Children who learn a second language at a younger age become more fluent than those who start later. The simple fact of speaking two languages also means children are raised with a stronger sensitivity to language, making it easier for them to pick up additional languages later in life. This sensitivity to language is also apparent in your child’s reading and writing skills, which will be superior.

Other advantages can include stronger motor regions, as well as the ability to pay better attention. Speaking two languages, and knowing when to speak one over the other, means the child has to focus more carefully. Furthermore, having the capacity to switch between two languages is a skill that goes beyond simple linguistics and can improve a child’s multitasking abilities. For young children, growing up learning multiple languages will come as naturally as just learning one — learning languages from birth is the easiest time compared to any other time in life.

Are there any disadvantages to teaching my child more than one language from birth?

There are a few points that should perhaps not be considered disadvantages, so much as factors that could influence or hamper your child’s ability to become bilingual. One would be the additional time and effort you as a parent would need to dedicate to teaching your child more than one language. Simple exposure to the language is not enough, research shows that it takes consistency, commitment, and creative reinforcements, both inside and outside the home, for children to learn and maintain a second language.

A common myth is that children being raised to learn two languages simultaneously may get confused and thus will be slower in their development. While there is no scientific basis to suggest that learning multiple languages slows development, some parents note that children may start speaking a little later. Considering the child is learning double the amount of words, this does make sense! And a slight delay in speaking is a small price to pay for the benefits that bilingualism brings in later life.

What can I do to help my child become bilingual?

If your child is learning more than one language, there are many things you can do to help them. Various materials can be used, such as CD’s with music and rhymes, which work especially well for babies and younger children. As the child grows, TV shows, movies and books are great resources, especially when watched or read with a native speaker who can ask questions and initiate conversation. Most importantly, however, you should not push or force your child into learning a language as this may cause them to feel pressure and reject it. Make the experience fun and enjoyable and your child will be learning without even realizing it!

Signing your child up for additional language or cultural classes can be especially valuable to their development. Use Gogabo to search for language classes in your area today! We have devoted countless hours of energy working with families and play providers to ensure that our platform is accessible, affordable and stress-free.

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