Introducing Additional Languages
When is the best time to introduce a third language to my child(ren)? What's the best method? Is using more than one language confusing my kid?
These questions pop up quite often during seminars and webinars on multilingual development. Unfortunately, the answer can sometimes be very disappointing - there is no universal approach to introducing a third language. Or second or fourth, for that matter.
In this article:
Acquiring and learning languages
Like everything in a child's development, the process of acquiring and learning languages is very individual. Just think of all the possible circumstances: Where do you live? Do people in your surrounding speak the target language? Do you plan on moving someplace else? What languages does your child already speak? Will/does the child learn this language at school? How old is the child? What's your goal? Why would you like to introduce this language?.... And many, many more.
Before we continue, let's just explain some basic vocabulary used in the text.
Term | Definition |
Input | What children receive (hear, read..) |
Output | What children do (speak, interact, show that they understand) |
Additional language | Any language you add to the one(s) a child is already exposed to |
Target language | A language that someone is learning |
Dominant language | A language in which a bilingual or multilingual child has the greatest proficiency and/or uses more often |
Now, if you turn to research, you might notice that studies often do not describe their subjects' language history or input and exposure patterns precisely enough to make sure that the results of a particular study apply to your family situation. The other way of learning about the best practices for introducing an additional language is through practical experience. Suppose you ask your multilingual friends for advice. In that case, you might find some similarities as well as many differences in your language strategies, attitudes towards languages and goals set for your multilingual journey. All of this is telling us that there is no best time or approach to introduce an additional language.
What can parents do?
Educate yourself, and choose what suits your family at that moment.
And, if you are looking for some ideas and tips on introducing an additional language, here are a few strategies and resources we implemented. (We speak Croatian at home, German is the majority, and English is the third language). Maybe some of these will be helpful on your journey.
Reading and singing
We've been reading to our children in English since before they were born. In those earliest days, they didn't mind the language. They just listened to our voices and the language melody. As children grow and develop, their comprehension strategies evolve. They start using illustrations and different clues to grasp the idea of the text, and they ask for a translation. There is no best way to read in a language that is not dominant. Just follow your child's lead. Translate if necessary. Ask questions to check understanding. You can read in the target language and ask questions in your mother tongue. Or do both in the target language. It depends on your child's language competencies and attitudes towards the language as well as yours.
When is the best time to start?
Before the baby's born, in the very beginning, when they turn three, once they start school...
Puppets
Hand puppets can be an excellent way to introduce and practise languages. Whether it's their first, second or any other additional language, children tend to feel more comfortable speaking when they have a puppet on their hand. You can read the whole article on using puppets for language development here. We had puppet dragons that could speak only in English.
When is the best time to start?
Teenagers might not be thrilled with the idea of "playing" with puppets. Younger kids surely would.
Travelling
(Ok, maybe not in these crazy corona times.) Being exposed to a language in its natural surrounding is something utterly different from learning it at home or school. If you have a chance, go for it. Travelling is always a fruitful experience, and exposure to a target language will most likely have an impact on your child's vocabulary and also attitudes towards the people.
When is the best time to start?
Whenever you feel like it. It's never too late or too early.
Person who speaks the language
It can be a nanny or just a friend. A few ideas that include other people who speak the target language are visiting play groups or just hanging out. Because the corona pandemic has made all these activities a bit more difficult to undertake, you can look for alternatives. The other day, in one of the FB groups, I saw a post that offers a solution to this social distancing problem. One guy described how they're staying in contact with their family through video calls. They prepare snacks, drinks, and sometimes even dinner, and simply hang out virtually. So, if your target language-speaking friend can't come over and talk to your kids in that language, video calls might be a way to go.
When is the best time to start?
Now is a good time as any time.
Games
Many children like playing board games. When my kids were younger, it was mostly about counting in English and learning games-related vocabulary (Your turn. Miss a turn. Two steps back...) Step by step, they started creating their own games with cards containing different tasks in the target language (Count to 10 in English, say "apple" in all languages you know, etc.)
When is the best time to start?
Well, playing board games doesn't make much sense with infants, but as soon as children grasp the idea of playing board games in their first language(s), they're ready for playing in the target language.
Sunday is (language) day
Introduce one day in a week when the whole family speaks the target language. Use the language while cooking together, and find a language group where the child can spend more time with other children who speak the language. Invite friends or other families who can speak the language and organise playdates on these days.
When is the best time to start?
Now.
Finally, I'd say that every experience can be turned into a brief exposure to an additional language. Going on a long trip? Sing songs, play "I spy" or any other word game in the target language. Visiting a ZOO? Name a few animals. Spending time outdoors? Name the colours and vehicles you see. Say the house numbers or the bus lines on your way. Grocery shopping? Make a list in the target language. Name everything you buy.
There is no best method to introduce a third language. But, with a pinch of planning, and a handful of opportunities for input and output, soon you might have a trilingual child :)