How to introduce another language to a multilingual child

When raising a multilingual child, the most effective method is often the "One Person, One Language" (OPOL) approach. Research has shown that mixing languages when speaking to children can be confusing and frustrating for them.

However, if you need to introduce a new language or your second language to your child, you may be wondering when and how to do so, and whether it's acceptable to break the OPOL rules.

Firstly, it's important to consider the age and language development of your child. Introducing a new language too early can cause confusion and hinder their language development. On the other hand, waiting too long may make it harder for them to learn the language.

If you do need to introduce another language to your child, try to do so in a consistent and structured way:

1. Find a babysitter, nanny, caregiver or other person who speaks the language fluently. This approach allows your child to associate the language with a specific person and situation, making it easier for them to distinguish between languages.
   
   
2. Another option is to seek out other families or playgroups in your neighborhood who also speak the language and encourage your children to play and interact with each other in that language. This provides a more natural and immersive learning environment for your child, as they can observe and learn from their peers who are fluent in the language.
   
   
3. You can enroll your child in language classes, daycare or clubs. These opportunities provide a structured learning environment and allow your child to practice the language with other children who are also learning it. This allows your child to practice their language skills in a supportive and engaging environment, while also building social connections with other children who share their interest in the language.
   
   
4. An effective way to supplement their language learning is to watch videos or cartoons in that language. This can be an enjoyable and engaging way, as they can associate the language with fun and entertaining content. When selecting videos or cartoons for your child to watch, look for content that is appropriate for their age and level of language proficiency.
   
   
5. Another effective approach is to exclusively expose your child to the target language through television. "The TV speaks..." The television becomes a powerful tool for language learning, as it offers a constant stream of spoken language in a contextually rich manner.

But what should you do if you need to use a second language when communicating with your child? 

For more 👉 Multilingual education

Resources

Bilinguals’ Existing Languages Benefit Vocabulary Learning in a Third Language by James Bartolotti and Viorica Marian