Top 5 Myths About Raising Bilingual Kids

The Myth:

This is probably the most common myth about bilingual kids. A lot of people believe that bilingualism leads to language disorders and delays.

The Reality:

There are so many countries and cultures in the world where bilingualism is nothing exceptional. Think of countries like Belgium, Switzerland or Canada, where growing up with two or more languages is the norm.

There has never been an evidence that growing up with two or more languages has any significant effect on the language learning speed. There could possibly (but most unlikely) be at most a few months of delay. But this is a risk worth to be taken when put against all advantages bilingualism can bring.

The Myth:

Have you ever noticed how bilingual kids mix two languages in the same conversation? A lot of people notice this and automatically draw the conclusion that the kid must be confused.

Yes, that seems so logical. Because how could such a little kid understand that two different words can mean the same thing in two different language systems...

The Reality:

Mixing languages is the most normal thing and actually only shows that the kids have the absolute control over both languages and the way they are used properly. Being able to switch between languages requires proficiency in both languages.

In most cases, the constant mixing is just a short phase that mostly comes and goes during the preschool age. It is very common among bilingual kids, but they will eventually move on and start to distinguish between the different languages.

To read more about the language switching of bilingual kids visit themlnetwork.com.

The Myth:

Bilingual kids have to learn the twice as many words as monolingual kids which is why people automatically assume that it's impossible to catch up and become proficient in both languages.

The Reality:

It is true that monolingual children initially might have a slightly stronger vocabulary in their only language than bilingual kids in one of their languages. And I think this is legitimate, since bilingual kids know two languages. So if you want to find out which child has a greater vocabulary, you should be fair and combine all the words (in both languages) the bilingual kid speaks before comparing them.

You'll find out that they actually have more or less the same amount of vocabulary. In fact, as years go by bilingual kids usually even surpass their monolinguals when it comes to their vocabulary knowledge.

The Myth:

Many people believe that growing up bilingual has a negative impact on the intellectual growth. How can the human brain cope with so much information? Does it use all its energy for the language acquiring and therefore neglects other essential issues like the ability of logical thinking?



The Reality:

If you've ever heard or read about studies that have proven this myth, you should know that these studies are most certainly not reliable. They were conducted with recent immigrant children who had not yet reached the necessary conditions to be compared to monolingual American children. The kids were still new to the culture and English language and had yet to become accustomed to their new life.

I think I'm the best counterexample for showing that this statement is nothing but a rumor. I was raised bilingual and was able to successfully complete my academic studies in Maths. As a kid I was one of the best at my school in most subjects including physics and chemistry. And no, this is not an exception. I have many (quite intelligent) friends and acquaintances who grew up speaking two or more languages.

The Myth:

Most parents are so afraid of doing something wrong that they never really deal with the question whether they can raise their kids bilingual. They have the (maybe unconscious) conviction that bilingual education will never be an option for their kids, just because they are monolingual themselves.

The Reality:

There are several approaches to raise a kid bilingual some of which are more efficient than others. The three most helpful methods are

1. The dad vs. mum language method
2. The inside family vs. outside family language method
3. The home vs. school language method

Which of the methods you decide to follow is not as important as the consistency with which you then should apply it. While many parents do not really have a choice regarding the method (e.g. if both are monolingual they cannot choose method one), sticking to one technique is very critical.

For more information and practical tips on raising kids bilingual visit themlnetwork.com.

The Myth:

A lot of parents never even start to raise their children bilingual because they think it's already too late. They heard that the brain of their kids only allows a small time window during which they have to become bilingual and after that it is over.

The Reality:

While it is somehow true that younger children usually have a better pronunciation when learning their second language, this is not true for other issues, like grammar or vocabulary. The age is just a tiny factor when it comes to language learning success. More important than the age are a right attitude, motivation and interest.

P.S. Don't ever dare to think that you will never be able to speak like a native in your second language just because you are an adult. It may be a little harder (that part of the brain is better the younger you are), but it is possible and even highly probable if you really want.