Bilingual Children

Question

I am a native English speaker but lived in a Central American country for 2 years. I'm more or less fluent but the more I learn the more I realize that I'm not really that fluent. Well, at least not as fluent as I'd like to be.

I have young children (oldest is 6) to whom I have only spoken Spanish to since they were born. When ever they watch something on TV it's in Spanish (75% of the time) and I try to only read them books in Spanish (probably 90% of the time). My wife does not speak Spanish to the kids and of course non of their friends do either.

All the kids understand Spanish 100% (as far as I can tell), but none of them speak it. I've had lots of Latino friends that actually have the same problem with their kids, so I know I'm not alone.

Any suggestions on how I can help or encourage them to actually speak the language?

Answer 1

I recently asked a similar question about how to encourage my daughter to improve her Spanish in order to speak to several of her friends who speak little to no English. I'm having some success with encouraging her to speak to me in short conversations using only Spanish. I do not help her as much when she is looking for a word or phrase to use. This is forcing her to look things up for herself, which in turn, helps her to retain what she has learned more. We have special places where we try to use only Spanish, for example when we are riding in the car.

I want learning and speaking Spanish to be as fun for her as it is for me, so I encourage any efforts she makes. My husband grew up in a home where Italian was spoken. The same phenomenon occurred in that they understood everything that was said to them, but never spoke the language much. I think if they had been encouraged to speak the language at home my husband and his brothers would be fluent today rather than just remembering a word here and there. I am determined to find whatever fun and creative ways I can to encourage my daughter to speak Spanish. Best of luck to you as well!!

Answer 2

Lazrus will want to answer this. I am curious, he lives in England, his wife is Chinese, he is Spanish...what language will the child learn apart from English of course?

Laza, are you speaking Spanish with your lovely daughter?

Of course I am! I only use Spanish with her. - lazarus1907, Sep 2, 2009

Wow, a trilingual woman...now that's going to be impressive! - --Mariana--, Sep 2, 2009

But does she speak Spanish back to you? - Lezipo, Sep 2, 2009

Answer 3

Isn't Spanish the language spoken in the country in which you are living? If so, take the children out. If so, put them into local schools rather than international ones.

(Actually, they will probably begin to speak Spanish with Spanish-speaking playmates even if enrolled in an international school.)

Janice, he *lived* in a Central American country for 2 years, but it seems he does not now. - --Mariana--, Sep 2, 2009