Creating a Bilingual Environment at Home
Parents of children often come to us when they want their little ones to become better English speakers. They may not realize, however, that their homes can have a much larger impact on how quickly their child picks up the English language — or any second language, for that matter.
In fact, their child doesn't even need to be old enough to attend classes or special schools before the learning can begin.
This article will introduce some tips you can share with parents on how to turn their home into an effective place for promoting bilingualism. Everyone's living situation is different, so they'll need to choose the best methods for their set of circumstances.
Tip #1: Just speak
Just as we all learned our first language, the most important part of creating a bilingual environment is simple exposure. Books and classes are great when the time is right, but very young children aren't able to take advantage of them yet.
However, what they can do is listen and observe. Kids are great at paying attention to everything happening around them. This means it's important for parents to speak English with them often. It doesn't need to be all the time, but they should try to set aside at least an hour each day to use English exclusively or as much as possible.
When doing household tasks such as cleaning or cooking, they can talk about what they are doing using simple words. For example: "I'm cutting the vegetables" or "I'm folding the shirts." Additionally, they can point out objects around the house while saying their names in English and get their child to repeat after them, if they are able.
Tip #2: Use the space
When children get a little older, the previous tip can be expanded upon. For example, parents can choose certain parts of the day to be times in which only English is spoken, now with the children speaking as well as the parents. Doing this will continue to bring English into real-life situations rather than simply being lessons in a textbook.
This idea can be taken further by making certain areas of the home English-only zones. This will greatly depend on the size of the home, but those with enough space to make it work can turn one room into a space in which only English is allowed!
This can present a fun challenge for the child (and perhaps for the parents as well!). They should make an effort to ensure everyone sticks to the rules, so if they speak in English, their child should respond the same way; understanding English yet responding in another language isn't good enough.
However, parents shouldn't be too strict with these rules; it's OK if the children don't get it right all of the time. The goal is to make English natural, not to turn it into a stressful task the child will not enjoy.
Tip #3: Introduce English materials
As we mentioned earlier, English-language materials are great ways to enhance and support a bilingual environment if they are used properly.
Parents should read English stories to their child and give them books they can explore on their own. They should also introduce age-appropriate music, movies and online videos in English. This elevates English from something that is merely studied to a regular kind of entertainment and play.
Of course, there are also a variety of apps aimed at young English learners. Some are free with in-app purchases, while others must be purchased from the start. Some examples you can suggest to interested parents include:
Tip #4: Include others
While English materials can certainly be helpful, parents shouldn't forget that interaction in English is what will have the biggest positive impact on their child's development.
The tips we've shared so far are mostly limited to the home and the small number of people inside it. But it's important to give young learners the chance to speak with others in English as often as possible. This way, they learn that English is not just a tool to use with Mom or Dad or only at home; it can be used to communicate with anyone anywhere.
That means exposing them to other English speakers should be a priority. This can include visits from extended family members, but parents can also organize playdates with other children who are learning English.
Tip #5: The OPOL method
For households with two parents who can speak different languages, the OPOL method can be very effective.
With this method, which is short for "One Person, One Language," each parent speaks only one language with the child — for example, Dad speaks French while Mom speaks English. This helps to create a clear separation in the child's mind between the two languages and results in less confusion and language mixing.
This strategy obviously requires dedication from the parents, and each should stick to a single language rather than mixing words and phrases from both (which may be how they normally communicate). However, if it can be done effectively, the results will almost certainly be worth it.
Wrap-up
While each of these techniques for building bilingual environments can be effective, they are best when used together. As each home and family is different, parents should look for the combination of strategies that works best for their situation. Share these ideas with them and help them put their child on the path to English mastery as early as possible.
