Raising a bilingual child as a second-generation immigrant comes with unique challenges. You might feel more comfortable speaking the majority language now, or maybe you don’t feel fluent enough in your parents' or grandparents' language to pass it on to your child. But guess what? You can absolutely do it!
In this post, I’ll share 8 powerful tips to help you successfully raise bilingual kids, even if you’re not 100% fluent yourself. These tips cover practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you overcome common obstacles like consistency, language exposure, and confidence.
Table of Contents
1. Get Your Mindset Right: It’s NOT Impossible
Before diving into practical strategies, let’s talk about mindset. Many second-generation parents doubt their ability to raise bilingual children because they don’t feel "fluent enough." But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be perfectly fluent to pass on a language!
Take inspiration from Betty Choi, founder of Chalk Academy. She grew up speaking mostly English at home, married an American Korean, and is now raising her kids trilingual in Mandarin, Korean, and English. If she can do it, so can you!
And if you haven’t managed to pass on your heritage language yet? No guilt, no shame. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making a positive effort to connect your child to their roots.
2. Consistency is Key
One of the biggest struggles second-generation parents face is staying consistent with the heritage language. It’s so easy to slip back into English, especially if it’s your dominant language.
Here’s the key: Aim to speak in the heritage language most of the time. Not just a few words here and there, but whole sentences. And encourage your child to respond in the same language!
A great way to structure this is by choosing a family language strategy, such as:
Minority Language at Home (ML@H): Speak the heritage language at home as much as possible.
One Parent, One Language (OPOL): Each parent consistently speaks one language to the child.
Time & Place Approach: Assign specific times or places for speaking the heritage language.
The more you practice, the easier it gets. It’ll become a habit for both you and your child!
If you're new to the world of bilingual parenting and want a complete five-step guide FOR FREE, check out my completely FREE video course on YouTube! You can also download my FREE 48-page eBook and get started straight away :)
3. Learn WITH Your Child
If you feel like your language skills aren’t strong enough, embrace the journey of learning together.
Language learning is lifelong. Even monolinguals continue learning new words well into their 70s! Instead of seeing your fluency level as a setback, see it as an opportunity to grow alongside your child.
I once met an English mum raising her daughter in Spanish (a language she learned as an adult). When she didn’t know a word, she simply looked it up with her daughter. Her enthusiasm and attitude made the process fun and empowering!
4. Create Immersion
The more exposure your child has to the heritage language, the easier it will be for them to absorb it naturally.
Here are a few easy ways to create immersion at home:
Play music in the target language.
Watch cartoons or family-friendly TV shows in the language.
Fill your home with books, posters, and labels in the heritage language.
Stick-it notes with common Chinese phrases on our fridge! 
Chinese language poster on our fridge
Small daily touchpoints add up over time and make a huge difference!
5. Engage with the Community
Language is all about communication. That’s why social interaction is key to raising bilingual kids.
Try:
Playdates with other bilingual families.
Community language schools or weekend classes.
Speaking with grandparents or relatives who use the heritage language.
One of my cousin’s kids refused to speak Chinese with his mum—until he spent a week with us! Seeing others use the language made him want to speak it, too.
6. Consider Outsourcing
If you’re struggling to provide enough exposure yourself, consider outside help:
Language classes
Bilingual tutors
Nannies or au pairs who speak the language
This extra support can strengthen your child’s skills, especially if the heritage language isn’t widely spoken in your area. Just remember: classes alone won’t be enough—you still need to integrate the language into daily life!
7. Be Confident in Yourself
Many second-gen parents underestimate their own language skills. But trust me—you know more than you think!
Even if you don’t speak "perfectly," your knowledge is valuable. Your cultural background, traditions, and experiences add depth to your child’s bilingual journey.
Confidence is key. If you hesitate, your child will pick up on that energy. But if you embrace your skills with pride, your child will feel encouraged to do the same.
8. Redefine Success
Finally, let’s talk about expectations.
Many parents feel pressure for their child to become "perfectly fluent"—but success doesn’t have to mean native-like fluency.
Instead, focus on what’s achievable for your family.
If your child can hold a conversation, that’s a win!
If they understand and connect with relatives, that’s success!
If they feel proud of their heritage, mission accomplished!
The fact that you’re trying to pass on your heritage language is already a huge achievement. Keep going, and celebrate every small victory!
Final Thoughts
Raising bilingual kids as a second-generation parent isn’t always easy—but it’s 100% possible. With the right mindset, consistency, and language exposure, you can successfully pass on your heritage language, even if you’re not fluent.
Which of these tips resonated most with you? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!
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