by: Beth Butler
Remember those language learning labs in junior high
school? Those labs with headsets where we were asked
to listen and then repeat back to the taped voice of
the instructor?
That was absolutely one of the least effective
methods used to teach a second language! Not to
mention it was at a point in our lives when our
brain was no longer capable of acquiring a new
language easily. Combine those labs with workbooks
and lots of verb conjugation and you have
generations of students who came out of a system
unable to speak a second language.
Today many of us realize the importance of raising
our children to be bilingual. We ourselves have been
frustrated in certain situations to not have a
handle on any language other than our native
English. Whether we were passed over for a job
opportunity because we did not speak another
language, or we missed a pay increase because we had
no bilingual skills or we simply found ourselves
wishing we could communicate at an ethnic restaurant
all of us have most likely wished for the fluency of
another language.
Many of us know that the secret to success is
introducing the new language early in life. The most
recent research suggests that between the ages of
birth and five is the optimum time to begin the
second language journey. What most of us do not
know, however, is how to bring this language
learning into our homes and our daily lives.
Following are five key strategies for jump starting
the second language learning of your child:
1) Start the second language learning early. Did you
know that the most recent research suggests starting
at birth and really emphasizes the first five years
of life as the most optimum time to introduce
languages to a child? A study out of Texas states
that five languages up until the age of five can be
learned simultaneously to one child.
I personally encourage playing music CDs during
pregnancy and then talking to your baby from the
moment of birth in two or more languages if
possible. If you and your family speak only language
then begin introducing a new language with bilingual
music CDs and DVDs.
2) Look for a bilingual language learning series
that provides you and your child with the following
four components: visual cues (in the form of a DVD,
board book or language cards), music fun (in the
form of bilingual music CDs and/or DVDs with music
incorporated throughout the informal language
lessons), beginning reading (in the form of board
books, language cards and/or computer
software/games) and verbal exchange (in the form of
DVDs that prompt occasional responses from your
child, friends who speak the target language and/or
computer software that allows for verbal
acquisition).
All four components are necessary for a well-rounded
and fun language program. Always keep in mind that
you should not be required to have second language
experience or a teaching degree to use these
products you choose during your daily routine.
3) Repeat, repeat, repeat!!! Repetition is the key
for all the learning that takes place with your
child. Think back to how you learned to speak
English. Your parents pointed things out to you and
said the word for those items again and again in
English.
Now, as a parent and a teacher, you can not only
provide the English word, but you can also begin to
introduce the new language word for that same item.
Saying the words in both languages side by side
provides a point of reference for the child and
allows language acquisition to continue in the
native language while learning a new language. This
format is referred to as a bilingual format and is
one of the best methods to use with young children
ages birth through five.
4) Have fun and be patient! Try to never force the
new language learning on your child. Gently guide
your child along this second language journey.
Your child may not verbalize for months in the new
language. Keep in mind that the brain of your child
is processing all of this information, wiring it for
later language learning.
Show a high level of confidence yourself. Even if
you do not speak the target language well you are
the best teacher for your child. Surround yourself
with great tools to bring the learning to life and
then remember that smiling works wonders with kids!
5) Show your child that you respect other cultures
and value the ability to speak other languages. Make
a point to attend multi-cultural events that bring
to life the food, music, dance, arts and people of
other cultures, reinforcing to your child that
English is not the only language important to their
future travels in our global society and that the
United States is only a small part of a big and
beautiful world!
We are role models for our children. If you show
that others are important to you and that you value
what they stand for and what they represent, then
your child will also show respect for those people
and the things important to them.
Giving your child the gift of a second language
before elementary school is one of the most
wonderful gifts you could ever give him. Making the
language learning process easy on you as a busy
parent is one of the best things you can do for
yourself. The tools are out there, you just need to
do a little searching for that perfect fit for you
and your familia/family!
About the Author
Beth Butler is the creator of the BOCA BETH Language Learning Series for young children ages birth - ten. Visit http://www.bocabeth.com and learn more about second language learning fun. Call toll free to 1.877.825.2622 or Ms. Butler's cell phone for an interview to 1.813.244.1432.