Questioning Multilingual Exposure: Parents' Dilemma Over Language Learning for Their Children

In our increasingly interconnected world, the importance of multilingualism is ever growing. Many parents aspire to raise their children to be multilingual, providing them with an academic, cultural, and professional edge. 

However, this aspiration often gives rise to a multitude of dilemmas and challenges.

Given my child's struggle with languages, am I making the right decision by exposing her/him to multiple languages?

The path to multilingual fluency isn't always smooth. It's common for children learning multiple languages simultaneously to experience periods of confusion or struggle. 

Parents, observing their children's difficulties, may question whether their approach to language exposure is beneficial or whether it imposes unnecessary stress.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that struggle and confusion can be an integral part of the learning process, not only in language acquisition but in the development of any new skill. Overcoming these challenges often leads to greater resilience, problem-solving capabilities, and, in the context of language learning, a deeper understanding of the intricacies of each language.

Many adults who were raised multilingual often view their early language struggles as worthwhile. Their childhood experiences grappling with multiple languages has often led them to appreciate the doors that multilingualism has opened to them, from cultural understanding to career opportunities.

Each family's multilingual journey is unique. What's most important is that parents remain supportive and patient as their children navigate through the complexities of multiple languages. Struggles should not deter parents but instead be seen as stepping stones towards their child's multilingual proficiency.

In conclusion, raising multilingual children is a long-term commitment that poses its own set of challenges and rewards. 

The struggles children face in their multilingual journey, when supported and guided well, can lead to incredible personal growth and lifelong benefits. 

In embracing these struggles, parents are offering their children an invaluable gift - the gift of languages.

Yuki: My 2-year-old son recently started attending a German-speaking preschool full-time. At home, we converse in Japanese and English, and his weekend nanny only communicates in Spanish. I've observed some difficulty on his part adjusting to German, despite our occasional use of the language at home in preparation for his school.

I find myself grappling with guilt and concern, frequently questioning if I'm doing right by him. Constantly placing him in unfamiliar linguistic and cultural environments seems overwhelming. The dilemma of possibly giving up on any of these languages is particularly tough, as Japanese and German are my native languages, and thus, hold a special place in my heart.

My son is quite talkative for his age and expresses himself quite a bit. However, I can't shake off the fear that he may grow to resent these linguistic complexities, possibly even disliking my mother tongues. The prospect of him learning two different scripts also seems daunting, though I personally know all three. Nonetheless, it was a long journey for me to achieve this, and I wonder how it will be for him.

   > Ky: Raised in a trilingual home where Russian, Hebrew, and Turkish were spoken, I later learned English and Spanish in school. This immersion in a linguistically diverse environment, although challenging at times, led to my fluency in five languages by the age of eight. Reflecting on this experience, I express deep gratitude towards my parents for their steadfast commitment and patience, seeing their efforts as an invaluable gift.

In resonance with your predicament, I'm currently navigating the complexities of multilingual parenting myself. My son is being brought up bilingual with exposure to Turkish and Spanish, and his school imparts education in Russian. Additionally, English serves as the medium of communication between my spouse and me. Absent my own fruitful experience growing up multilingual, I would likely share your apprehensions. However, with the personal benefits of multilingualism serving as an enriching backdrop, I now view this journey as an opportunity to weave a rich tapestry of cultural understanding and connection. My aspiration is that my son will share this sentiment as he matures.

   > Ann: Children raised in monolingual environments also face moments of disagreement or frustration with their parents' decisions, it's a natural part of growing up. However, by immersing your child in multiple languages, you are gifting them access to diverse cultures and opportunities. Even though they might not fully appreciate it at present, the benefits will manifest as they mature. Rest assured, you're doing a wonderful job.

 > Matt: Ann, That's an excellent point! As a polyglot, I had the potential and desire to learn languages from a young age, and I somewhat lamented my parents not capitalizing on my inherent 'talent'. All the languages I know were acquired through formal education or my personal efforts as an adult.