If you’re looking for a few tips on how to raise a bilingual family, this is the post for you. While each and every family is different in how they’re structured and how they function, it is possible for families to use some of the same techniques and tips to become bilingual with ease.
According to Jack Allison, pedagogical expert at Intercountry, a multicultural approach to language training can work. With enough time and effort, there are simple steps that can be taken to ensure that your family is bilingual to be able to carry on conversations with one another in different languages.
But did you know that there are a few other ways that you can ensure that your family will become bilingual as well?
How to raise a bilingual family
If you’re wanting to raise a bilingual family, it’s possible to make it happen. Check out some of these great ideas and resources that can help.
Use the internet to your advantage
We live in a world that literally seems to have no boundaries. Why not use that to your advantage? You can easily learn about other cultures and learn new languages without even having to leave your home.
Interact with other cultures in your community
Being around other cultures is a great way to start to learn the basics of becoming bilingual. You’ll start to notice that you will recognize certain words, etc. that other cultures and languages say, even when you don’t speak their language. You can even do linguistic immersion in countries with a multilingual environment like Morocco. The options are truly endless.
Find resources in your community
The library or community centre is a fun place that you can really immerse yourself in learning about other countries. Once you and your family take an interest, it’s not that much of a stretch to want to start learning the language as well.
Checking out books from the library can be a great way to learn about other cultures and start to understand the fundamentals of other cultures and languages. With so many different options to choose from, you’ll have a fun opportunity to choose what really stands out.
As for community centres, there are many workshops, events, and cooking classes to be aware of. While some of them might not necessarily focus on other languages, they do focus on different cultures which again, is important.
Let your children be curious about what they’re wanting to learn
If your child approaches you and tells you that they want to learn another language or learn about another culture, say “yes” and move towards that process with them. This is an exciting time and something that you can do together as a family.
Just think of all the hours that you’ll get to communicate, learn about, and hang out together as you really take in another culture and try to learn their language.
Having a family that is bilingual is important because our world is growing and changing as we speak. More and more cultures and languages are becoming prominent and it’s important to stay educated and cultured at the same time.
Plus, learning other languages is a great way to work your mind and let yourself learn something new as well. You’re never too old to teach yourself something new and learning another language is a great way to start.
These simple tips for raising a bilingual family are simple and easy to do. All you need to do to get started is really just get started! There is no time like the present to learn and grow together as a family.