Benefits of Bilingualism

Multilingual Children Show Strength in:

• Mathematics

• Metaphors

• Metalinguistic analysis

• Creative fluency and flexibility

• Organization and processing of incoming speech

• Focusing

• Blocking out distractors

• Pragmatic skills and interpersonal sensitivities

And, of course, there are numerous social and cultural advantages to speaking multiple languages

Are you trying to teach your children multiple languages?

Keys to Success:

• Be positive about multilingualism. Value this skill as prestigious.

• Maintain 40-60% of your child’s day in each language.

• Keep it low-stress and fun. If your child is unenthusiastic, don’t force them to speak a certain language but let them know you’ll be continuing.

• Make it meaningful. Find family or social situations where the target language is necessary for communication.

• Be patient if they only want to answer you in English. It’s a phase. They’ll thank you when they’re older.