Page 2 - Bilingual Kids.pdf
P. 2

There is a rule in Archna's house.                           culture, usually one that is tied up in
     When at home, speak only Indian                              their family history.
   Language and when outside the home
                                                                “Experts have shown that speaking two
   speak English.
                                                                languages can greatly enhance students'
   Why, This Glastonbury mom says                               academic success," she says. "They can

   “Research shows that children will grow                      develop greater mental agility, stronger
   up with a better sense of self when they                     analytical and problem-solving skills,
   are aware of their heritage and are active                   better concentration, sharper reading

   in the traditions of their cultures. Being                   skills, and more creativity.
   bilingual can give a child a sense of pride
   and accomplishment… and a sincere                            How to raise a bilingual child: One
   appreciation for diversity and ancestry.”                    Parent One Language


                                                                There are two recognized methods of
   She further says “ Figures suggest that
                                                                raising bilingual children. One is to speak
   around 70% of the world's population
                                                                the minority language at home, and speak
   speak two languages fluently, but raising
                                                                the majority language at school and in the
   children as bilingual in the USA is still
                                                                wider community –
   seen as pretty 'special' and rare. Bilingual
   children in the USA usually have at least                    The other is One Parent One Language
   one parent who speaks another language.                      (OPOL), where the parents speak the two

                                                                different languages to the child from birth.
                                                                In their family Archna speaks Hindustani

                                                                and Rupal speaks English to their
                                                                children. They could understand both
                                                                English and Hindustani before they could
                                                                talk, and can now speak both languages

                                                                fluently.

                                                                “It's important that children have

                                                                consistency so, as far as is possible, we
   But being able to speak two languages or                     speak to them only in our native
   more can have significant benefits,                            languages,”  “This means, from a very
   opening up a wealth of job opportunities                     early age, they just accepted that mum

   for your child when they're older. Often it                  spoke one language, and dad a different
       gives them a strong link to another                          one.”






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