How to Immerse Your Child in a Foreign Language at Home (Pt. 2) | Tips for Raising a Bilingual Child

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

In addition to the expat community, in DC there are French- (and other language-) immersion schools whose parents/students/communities could be a resource

[@roquegiler]

Thank yoiu so much!! greetings from Ecuador

[@LiveYourLanguage]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!

[@AlisonDessavre]

Hi, my name is Alison, my husband Alan and I are Spanish native, we have a boy 3 years old, and we are raising him in a bilingual environment. For sure we are making some mistake in our English speaking but we are convinced that this is much better for his development than don´t doing it… that is not our concern. What worries is that my son (Adam) is almost no speaking anything, he listens perfectly, he understands perfectly in both languages, but he barely speaks some words, mostly in English… I don’t know if this is properly of this kind of raising… At home dad and mom speaks to him 90% English, but with his teacher, friends and granny is in Spanish 100% … Adams teacher says that maybe he has some speaking incapacity and that probably we have to go with a specialist, because she has read that it doesn’t matter how many languages the kid is experienced he should speak more by his age…. Also when he speaks, he just pronounce the vowels (a,e,i,o,u) but he prefers signs and expressions. No additional or visible difficulties besides this, indeed he’s very skillful… I like to start with French but I’m not sure with this… so, any idea, advice or experience would be great for us, thanks!!!

[@LiveYourLanguage]

Hi Alison, Thanks for watching my video! This is a tough situation, but it sounds like Adam's teacher is giving you good advice. I am not a speech specialist, but I have also heard that bilingualism does not cause a speech delay. If you go to a specialist, they will be able to tell you with more certainty whether to be concerned. It's great that he is listening and understanding both languages and communicating with you in his own way! Personally, I would wait to see whether English is well established before starting intensely with French, but if you are introducing it slowly and gradually it should not be a problem. Sorry I couldn't be of more help and good luck!

[@AlisonDessavre]

@@LiveYourLanguage thanks a lot for your response, I really appreciate it. I'll do!

[@LyzJGV]

Hi Alison Of course all case are different but I had the same situation with my now 4yo and I was super worried. He eventually started after his third birthday at first in the majority language and now both. My son has been slow at basically everything ... teething at 12 months, waking at 18.... I don’t know if this helps but don’t panic But indeed if you can check with a speech specialist it can only help for sure I hope it s nothing though . Sincerely

[@AlisonDessavre]

@@LyzJGV thanks for your response! I appreciate it a lot

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

OMG LOL I swear I didn't watch this one before commenting about iTalki on the previous video! hahahaha

[@adiseri]

Great tips, thanks!

[@LiveYourLanguage]

Thanks for watching! So glad you found them helpful!

[@adiseri]

Another tip is to only let your child watch tv or screen time in the language you’re teaching her or him

[@LiveYourLanguage]

That's a wonderful tip! Thank you!

[@Improvemypronunciation]

My kids are 9 and 6. One wants to learn and the other one doesn’t. 😅

[@LiveYourLanguage]

Thank you for watching! That's tough. All you can do it keep encouraging an interest in a language, and maybe if you start teaching the one who does want to learn, it's possible that the second child will want to join in on the fun :).

[@Improvemypronunciation]

@@LiveYourLanguage Well, I am still teaching them both. She will eventually adjust to the 15 minutes with other kids.

[@sandrowestlakelima8645]

😊👏👏👏👏👏👏