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As we kick off the new school year, are you ready to give your child the bilingual or even trilingual edge? Whether you're just beginning your multilingual journey or looking to enhance your child's language skills, I'm here to help!
For those of you who are new, welcome! I’m a UK-based Chinese mum married to a Russian man, and we’re raising our children to be trilingual in Russian, Chinese, and English. This blog is dedicated to empowering parents to raise bilingual and multilingual kids!
This post is part of my "Back to School" series, where we prepare for the upcoming school year. Feel free to subscribe to my blog so you'll never miss a future blog post!
The Bilingual Edge
So, what exactly is the bilingual edge? It’s the advantage your child gains by being fluent in multiple languages. In today’s globalised world, this edge is more valuable than ever, opening doors for personal and professional growth, not to mention the cognitive benefits that come with it. If you’re curious about the brain-boosting effects of bilingualism, check out my video and blog post on this fascinating subject!
As the school year approaches, let’s focus on academics. Research shows that bilingual children often outperform their monolingual peers in tasks involving cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and creative thinking. A study in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that bilingual students excel academically, thanks to their ability to switch between tasks and manage attention more effectively.
Dr. Ellen Bialystok from York University found that bilingual kids develop superior executive control, which helps them juggle attention, ignore distractions, and adapt to new challenges with ease. This isn’t just beneficial for school – it’s a skill that aids them in everyday life as well.
But it doesn’t stop there! The European Commission found that bilingual students are 60% more likely to experience cross-cultural interactions, increasing their empathy and adaptability in diverse environments.
And career-wise, being bilingual can give your child an edge, with bilingual individuals having access to more job opportunities and even earning up to 10-15% more than their monolingual peers.
In short, the bilingual edge is real, and it’s powerful. As we head into the new school year, let's work on harnessing that edge to give our children the best start in life.
Tip 1: Start Speaking to Your Child in the Target Language
If you're new to this, the first step is to simply start speaking to your child in the target language. For those unfamiliar, the "target language" is the language you want your child to learn. Many parents I speak to are native speakers of the target language themselves, which makes this easier – just start speaking to your child as consistently as possible.
Even if you're not a native speaker, don't worry! You can still raise a bilingual child. I’ve made several videos about non-native speakers raising bilingual children, so be sure to check them out if you're looking for more guidance.
It’s okay to start small if diving in all at once feels overwhelming. Begin by incorporating simple words and phrases into everyday routines. Label objects around the house in the target language, sing songs, and play language games. Over time, aim to increase exposure for more tangible results.
Tip 2: Explore Language School Options
It’s hard to believe, but by September, my son will have been attending Russian school every Saturday for six years! I remember his first day like it was yesterday – he was still wearing nappies!
While weekend language schools aren’t a must for bilingualism, they can be a helpful addition to what you’re already doing at home. Language schools expose your child to a language in a more casual environment and can complement the language learning you're fostering at home.
However, relying solely on a weekend school won’t make your child fluent. It’s important to have realistic expectations – language schools work best as part of a larger language-learning routine. For us, the Russian school complements our home environment by providing interaction with native speakers and structured reading and writing activities.
As the school year begins, consider exploring local language classes or weekend schools. Whether your child is learning a new language or you’re reinforcing one you’re already using at home, these schools can provide an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Tip 3: Start a Reading and Writing Routine
I’m a huge advocate for teaching children to read and write in their target language. While conversational fluency is a fantastic goal, incorporating reading and writing takes language learning to the next level.
Research shows that bilingual individuals who are literate in multiple languages demonstrate improved memory, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive control. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Neurolinguistics highlighted that bilinguals who can read and write have better cognitive flexibility. Literacy skills also boost academic performance, helping students excel across various subjects.
For us, nurturing reading and writing in three languages has been a game-changer. Our kids are adept at making connections between different writing systems, which also aids them in subjects like math and science.
If your child is over three or four years old, I highly recommend incorporating reading and writing into your routine. Start with just 10-15 minutes a day. A book, pen, paper, and consistency are all you need to get started. Keep it simple and sustainable – a few minutes every day is better than a marathon session once in a blue moon!
Be sure to read my blog post and/or watch my video, where I explain, in detail, the exact method I use to teach my kids to read and write Chinese at home.
Take action today!
So, are you ready to give your child the bilingual edge this school year? Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your child's language skills, these tips can make a world of difference. Start speaking the language, explore language school options, and incorporate a reading and writing routine into your daily life.
If you're at the beginning of your multilingual parenting journey, I highly recommend that you download my free family language planning template. It will help you lay the foundation for your child's language-learning journey. :)
Also, check out my book, Bilingual and Trilingual Parenting 101 - the third edition is coming out soon! It's already helped thousands of families, and I hope it will help yours too. Lastly, my sister and I have created a series of bilingual picture books called My Everyday Life to make language learning fun for kids – highly recommended!
Ready for more? Subscribe to this blog at the bottom of this page and check out the next two posts in this series, where we’ll discuss avoiding common pitfalls and unlocking your child’s full language learning potential.
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