As a native Spanish speaker, I want to share my language and heritage with my children. I am also the only person in my household who speaks Spanish (my husband speaks only English). When I was little, my parents (bilingual, English/Spanish) simply spoke to each other (& my sister & I) in Spanish. End of story. Spanish was spoken in my home- so I learned to speak it. In order to teach my children Spanish, I literally have to work twice as hard- I have to REMEMBER to speak to them in Spanish, even when I am speaking to my husband in English. How does that work around the dinner table, for example? It doesn't. So I have to find other, creative ways to make Spanish apart of their daily lives, without excluding my husband, & making it easy enough on me that I remember to do it- even after the longest of days. So here is a list of my 10 best tips to incorporate a second language in your child's life and make foreign language learning fun for both parents and kids.
1) Establish an English-Free Zone (aka the Spanish-zone, French Zone, Chinese-zone or whatever language you are working on). We know "home" doesn't always work, particularly if only one parent speaks the second language. This "zone" should be a place you frequent with your kids, that also happens to spark conversation- like the playground, the mall, or my personal favorite ... the grocery store (a wealth of vocabulary opportunities, plus, you'll be amazed how quickly your child learns the words for their favorite foods, manners, etc, when use of the correct words in the second language are required for a purchase- "Galletas, por favor!??!"). It's easy on the parent too because it is one place- just one place- that you can remember: "We don't speak English here- only "language X"
2) Take Advantage of Daily Commut(ication): We spend a lot of time in our cars- driving to and from school, soccer practice, dance lessons, music lessons, you name it. Use that time (and your captive, backseat audience) to work on your second language. Pop a language CD in the radio (it doesn't necessarily have to be a language CD, it could be just music). My kids ask to hear the French songs every single time we drive in the car (I have some educational, language learning CDs in French, but I also have adult & kid-friendly French music we listen to, too- they don't really know the difference, only that they love to hear it and sing along!). Another idea is to play games- we play a version of "I Spy" in Spanish on the ride to school- I point something out in English, the first child to call out the correct word in Spanish "wins"
3) Electrify their Speech! : Electronic toys & games are a part of modern life. Interactive, talking toys are available for Infants to Teens- a talking plush for your toddler, a DS for your big kid. What many parents don't realize is that so many of these interactive toys and games are available in bilingual formats.
4) Stay on Trend: Kid's know when they are being presented with "teaching materials". I bought a Wii game for my son that was supposed to teach math and reading. It was a traditional "teaching" format. He was not impressed. It was never played with past that first, 5 minute run. The trick is to stick with the toys and games that they are "into"- but just happen to be available in Spanish. Is your daughter into "American Girl" dolls? No problem- a Karito Kid is "on trend for what she likes, but also introduces the language and culture aspects you want fpr her. Your son is into Cars2? Diego/Dora? Elmo? Many of those character toys are available in bilingual formats- you just have to look. Specialty, bilingual chidlren's book and toy stores are a good place to start.
5) Talk with your Mouth Full! Okay, not literally with your mouth full... but food is an excellent (& delicious) means of communicating language and culture to children. Cook with your children- prepare a meal together, talk about what you are preparing and serving & how- textures, colors, tastes. Don't cook? Find a local restaurant serving the cuisine of the language you are teaching- the more "authentic" the better. I take my children to local, very authentic German restaurant for a monthly does of Deutsch- the food, the music, the servers and many patrons speak German (they get to hear me speaking German)- it helps develop an "ear" for the language if nothing else and piques their interest in the language and culture.
6) SAP to It! SAP stands for Secondary Audio Programming- what it means is that many of your child's favorite cartoons and other programming are available in Spanish, just by changing a setting on your TV set. How easy is that!
7) Find a friend: Check community newsletters and blogs to see what clubs or organizations exist in your area- maybe there is a playgroup for children learning Spanish? A dance troupe that presents children with German culture (seriously- we have one here in Orlando), a Chinese drum corp for children (yep- we have that, too)- Look around and see what you can find for your child. Having new friends who can support you and your children in the language learning process can be invaluable. Can't find any such clubs or playgroups? Start one!
8) Enlist Teachers, Enroll in School: Some areas have schools that specialize in teaching foreign language, others offer language as an "elective" or after-school program. With children, the earlier the better. So when you are looking at daycares and pre-schools, or even considering after school programs and summer camps for older children- ask what foreign language learning opportunities they might offer for your child and let that factor into your decision of the best school for your child.
9) Multi-generational Gabbing: Who taught you to speak your second language? If you are like me, it was your parents. Make sure they are doing their part by asking them to speak to your children exclusively in the second language. My parents have lived in the US for over 40 years- I actually have to remind them to speak Spanish sometimes. But, remind them I do because sometimes it takes a village to raise a Spanish-speaker & I need all the help I can get!
10) READ!! There is no substitute for interaction with the parents in the second language and one of the best ways to accomplish this is through books. Foreign language books are excellent choices, of course. But when first introducing a second language, I found bilingual books to be most helpful. With bilingual children's books (books that feature the same text in both English & a second language, like Spanish or Chinese), my husband and I can both read the same books to our children. Children become accustomed to the text, its meaning- and then the words are easily understood in both languages.
A blog offering advice and support to parents raising bilingual children.
