Debunk Myths Around Raising Multilingual Children
This information session was led by Eléa Boudart, an educational developer for the Centre for Language and Education. As a language advocate for Flemish schools, her goal is to bolster educational practices regarding language learning. Growing up in the linguistic melting pot of Brussels, she comes from a background of navigating a broad spectrum of languages from childhood.
In this article, we will debunk some of the most persistent myths around raising multilingual children using the insights provided by Boudart, as well as outline a few of the best strategies to help your little linguist thrive.
True or False: Language Learning Always Follows the Same Pattern
Verdict: False ❌
While there is a typical pattern for acquiring a first language, each new one builds on the foundation of the last. When a child picks up an additional language, it often bypasses some of the early stages. The good news? If you're learning something new, even if it sounds like babbling, you're likely making more progress than you think!
The general structure for the primary language is as follows:
1. Babbling – Playing around with sounds.
2. One-word stage – Using a single word to convey thoughts or needs (ie: binky to express the desire for the child’s pacifier).
3. Two-word stage – Forming basic phrases with two word sentences (ie: mommy sleep).
4. Full sentences – Stringing together sentences with longer ones developing over time.
True or False: A Child Can Only Have One Mother Tongue
Verdict: False ❌
Contrary to popular belief, children can have multiple mother tongues, particularly when exposed to them consistently and early. Parents should strongly develop the child’s mother tongue(s), as a strong foundation for language helps to bolster acquisition of other languages. “The better you know your mother tongue, the easier it will be to learn the links of other languages,” said Boudart.
It’s important to note that language proficiency varies not only based on the amount of exposure the child receives early on, but also the context. For example, a child may be more proficient in English in a school setting, and French in a home setting. Changing the language spoken in different settings can help your child’s comfortability speaking in different environments and to build a broad repertoire of vocabulary.
True or False: Multilingual Children Develop Languages Slower Than Monolingual Children
Verdict: Partial Truth ✅
In some cases, it can be true that bilingual children may lag behind their monolingual peers. However, the benefit of exposing children to multiple languages is that their primary language supports the acquisition of other languages later on in life.
The stages of children acquiring multiple languages usually proceeds in this structure:
1. Use of the First Language in a 'Foreign Concept' – First language bridges the gap to the second, building off existing knowledge.
2. Silent Period – Absorbing new information around them (also referred to as the sponge stage).
3. Use of L2 in a telegram style – Using key, short phrases to express statements.
4. Use of L2 in everyday settings – Using the language in environments besides school.
5. Use of L2 in school setting – Use of the second language in a school setting, potentially combining both.
True or False: Parents should only speak a language with their child if they are fluent in that language
Verdict: True ✅
If you aren’t fluent in a language, it’s best to leave the speaking to those who are, such as teachers, caretakers, or the other spouse, so that the child does not have to unlearn any mistakes.
True or False: Parents should only speak one language in the house so that the child is not confused
Verdict: False ❌
Parents should not shy away from early exposure to multiple languages in a household. While children may stumble or mix their words, these are normal stages of developing multiple languages. What matters, on the other hand, is that parents use a clear communication strategy with their children. There are several different approaches, but some include:
- OPOL (One parent one language): Each parent speaks one (separate) language with their child.
- Minority language at home: Both parents speak their minority language at home (ie: speaking only Dutch at home while living in Canada). With this strategy, the parents rely on the educational system to improve the development of the country's language.
- Mixing: Both parents use both languages throughout the day — but only if they are proficient. You can also have the parents speak one different language with each other, but have both parents not speak this language with the child; the child will still absorb some basic information about this language.
True or False: Language Mixing Signals a Problem with the Child’s Language Development
Verdict: False ❌
Some parents are concerned when their child begins to code-switch, or interchangeably switch languages when speaking. But in a multilingual household, this stage of language development is completely normal. In fact, in some cases, drawing on a larger dictionary of words is a benefit later on in life — just ask Belgians, who mix English, French, and Flemish on a daily basis!
There are also some other speaking errors that can occur from learning multiple languages which are completely normal. For example, overgeneralizations, or using a learned linguistic rule across multiple languages (ie: saying “he throwed”). Another common one is overextension, or using a single word to describe a category of things (ie: car to describe a truck). However, with positive reinforcement and continued education, these initial stumbling blocks are easy to overcome.
Final Tips
Lastly, here are a few final tips from our expert to help support your child’s language development:
- Provide rich, spontaneous, and clear input — Quantity and quality of the language spoken affects the child’s development greatly. Furthermore, pronounce your words clearly to help the child grasp the sounds of each letter and allow for processing time.
- Use the ping-pong strategy — Keep dialogue bouncing: Ask new questions based on a child’s answer to questions to support regular dialogue. If a child responds to the question of, “How was your day at school?” with, “Good,” ask, “What made it so good?”
- Avoid explicit critiquing — When your child makes a speaking mistake, try to repeat the sentence correctly and model the correct structure instead of pointing out the mistake. “She goed to school?” “Yes, she went to school!”
Above all, be consistent and proficient in your communication. The more opportunities for the child to hear and speak the language, the more likely the child will retain the language.
Note from the International House Leuven
Interested in being more connected to the international family community around Leuven? The International House Leuven often has events for parents and children. Frequently check the activities page on the IHL website to stay up to date on upcoming events.
Additionally, we can recommend joining the Expat and International Parents Leuven Facebook group to connect with other families in the area and get support.
This article was contributed by Colby Grey, a recent master’s student graduate from KU Leuven and journalist from the United States who is currently on a search year permit.