Tips for Parents to Help their Children Learn a New Language

Continue to speak your native language at home, at least part of the time, even if learning the host language is very important to you. Children will learn a second language more easily if they are strong in a first. You need to ensure that they continue their language development in your native tongue.

At the same time, be a role model for learning the host language for your children. Show them that you think learning the language is a good thing to do, and that you are willing to make mistakes in the process of learning.

Look for ways your child can practice the language in private. It feels less risky to speak in small groups or to one other person.

Don't be surprised if your children start to correct your language! They may learn it more quickly than you and will be proud of what they have learned.

Understand that children often have a "silent period" when they first learn a new language - a time when they will not speak the language. This may last as long as six months, although it usually does not. Be patient. Your child is certainly learning to understand during this period, even if he/she is not speaking it. Some children wait until they can speak in complete, perfect sentences before they start to talk aloud.

Remember that children who are learning two languages at once are processing both languages, and may appear to be slower at speaking and reading than their friends. Do not panic. They are doing something more difficult. The reward will be knowing two languages and having a deep understanding of the function of language.

Realize that it takes three to seven years to learn a language well. Your child may be speaking competently within six months or a year, but to function fully in school (or for you, in your adult life), it takes much longer.

Older children may take longer than younger children to learn a new language. They are learning more complex language forms and more complex school material (math, science, history) at the same time as the new language. And, they may be more shy about speaking a second language in front of other people.

There is an emotional aspect to learning a second language. If learning this new language has a positive tone to it - your child wants to learn, and you want him/her to learn it too - learning will be faster. Do not pressure your child or be critical of how quickly he/she is learning the language.