MULTILINGUALISM means using or knowing more than one language. In our modern world today, some parents are obsess in raising a child to be English-speaking people. According to neurobiologists, a newborn’s brain is like a new computer waiting to be programmed. The best "window of opportunity" to learn a second or third language is during the first four years of life until the ages of 9 to 10. The key is that the child hears the language systematically and regularly. Thus, one of the most successful language systems is the One Person One Language (OPOL). Decide who will speak which language to the baby to avoid confusion.
MYTHS ON MULTILINGUALISM
MYTH: You will confuse a child by raising her with two or more language
FACT: A child’s brain can cope with two languages or more without affecting the dominant languages, as proven by decades of research in many multilingual countries (e.g., Canada, Switzerland, Belgium).
MYTH: Multilingualism is nice but uncommon
FACT: About 75% of the world’s population speaks more than one language.
MYTH: Learn one language first and then teach the other language later.
FACT: This is not only wrong, but totally counterproductive. Studies have concluded that learning a second language simultaneously is magnitudes easier for both baby and parents.
MYTH: Your child will only mix the languages together.
FACT: Yes, mixing will occur, but it is both harmless and temporary. As the child increases her vocabulary in each language, this phenomenon automatically disappears.
MYTH: At this age, becoming multilingual is too late.
FACT: No such thing! Children can always learn another language at any age, as can adults. It may be easier during the early critical period but a stimulating learning environment will get any child started with another language.
Source: The Smart Mom's Guide To The Toddler Years ( 13 to 36 months)
BOTTOM LINE
Source: The Smart Mom's Guide To The Toddler Years ( 13 to 36 months)
BOTTOM LINE
I have nothing against Pinoy kids who are fluent in speaking English or any other language. But for me, if a child is good in speaking other language, he should be better in speaking his OWN language. That’s what I insisted on my two nephews who is now residing in New Zealand. They shouldn’t forget our native language FILIPINO even if they live in a foreign country. As for my son, I will do the OPOL. He will learn Filipino from me, and English from his Daddy, Ninang Janice, and Tita Anna. But I think I would have to wait a little longer because Riley’s words for now are hi, dede, teddy, daddy, and mama only. :)
my daughter speaks both english and Tagalog, she is yet to learn more tagalog words but she can understand every word we said. When she is uncertain, she will throw question like queezing me and her dad, we are like english-tagalog dictionary translating each word to her.
ReplyDeleteEnglish at school and when she talks to me, rarely she talks to me in Tagalog but constantly to her dad and auntie.
That's good! Continue encouraging her to speak Tagalog as well. The more language she knows, the better. Pro dpat alam din nya ang national language ntn. :)
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