View Full Version : Is it bad to teach a child two languages at a time ?
oscarmgg
Jan 10, 2011, 02:34 PM
I have a 3 yr old boy and my husband and I speak to him english and spanish and he can't really talk that well. Sometimes I don't understand what he is trying to say and I was told that I should speak to him in both languages because I was confusing him ?
jenniepepsi
Jan 11, 2011, 08:28 AM
I was not sure, so I found this information for you... found here... I am teaching my 3-year-old Swedish, German and English all at once. Is this OK? - Speech and Language Issues - Preschoolers Today (http://www.preschoolerstoday.com/expertqa/speech-and-language-issues/i-am-teaching-my-3-year-old-swedish-german-and-english-all-2134)
Current research on bilingualism suggests that a child who is exposed to two languages simultaneously at an early age will naturally learn both languages. However, children can be expected to go through some confusion and may mix up the two languages at times. It is believed that a separation of the two languages will gradually occur. Also, there is a greater possibility that speech and language problems can occur if a second language is introduced during the preschool years after another language was used exclusively.
DoulaLC
Jan 11, 2011, 03:17 PM
It is fine to go ahead with both. He will interchange them now and then, but that is part of language development.
What a wonderful position he will be in being able to speak both languages as he grows up!
ChatterBox14
Jan 12, 2011, 03:34 AM
I leanrt 3 languages when I wa that age, and when I as 4 I started learning Arabic too. It did me no harm, in fact its made my english close to prefect and my other languages :D its really usuefull and improves the memory, plus his brain will be more stymulated, these days peoplea and professionals are too overly coutious, live a little! A lot of children learn more tgan one langueage you know :D so dw about it XD x
summuxia
Jan 14, 2011, 07:16 PM
Is it bad? Of course not! In fact you're doing him a great service - kids who learn multiple languages as a child, have an easier time learning languages later. His perfect grasp of a particular language may come a bit delayed but it's nothing to worry about.