As you probably know, my daughter recently turned one. As a first time bilingual mom (Filipino and English), I found myself in a dilemma whether or not to talk to my child in English. I was afraid that she might get confused or find it hard to decipher sounds which may affect her learning. I have been reading to her in English since she was several months old but we usually talk to her in Filipino.
As it turns out, I shouldn’t stress about it too much. “Learning another language actually enhances a child’s overall verbal development,” says Roberta Michnick Golinkoff Ph.D., author of How Babies Talk.
I also found from several reliable educational sites that even though children of bilingual parents may experience a lag in their communication skills, this only lasts a short time. In the long run, these children assimilate the words and become better at both languages. Isn’t that amazing? This gives me confidence to continue interacting with her in both languages.
Everyone would agree that learning English as a second language has many advantages. From business to traveling, knowing how to communicate well in an international language affects our interactions in both our personal and work lives.
But did you know that according to recent research and recognized experts, learning another language early in life also has several benefits?
Yes, having our kids exposed to another language, even as early as 3 years old, can give them a head start.
Here are 3 great reasons why children should be introduced to a foreign language as early as possible:
1. Improved linguistics.
Since the younger brain is more flexible and adaptable, kids can pick up sounds and mimic accents easier than older learners. I remember my friend telling me that her toddler could already say “mommy” with a British accent. At that time, they were living in London.
2. Cognitive benefits.
Learning a foreign language also has positive effects on our mental abilities such as
- better problem solving skills
- more creativity
- better flexibility of mind
- enhanced memory
- better multi-tasking abilities
3. Academic edge.
Studies suggest that kids learning an additional language score higher in standardized tests. Furthermore, since English is a common medium of instruction, children who have been exposed early on will have more confidence in recitation and group activities.
So, are you ready to let your kids enjoy and learn English?
We didnt decide on learning our eldest to speak english but we just realize when she turns 2 and start talking.. she didnt even didnt know to speak Tagalog.
Though we often talk to her in Tagalog evryday at home. Really kids learn it when you expose them on watching their favorite cartoons in that languange.. they adapt to it.
Its one good thing too coz she wont have a hard time in school.
Just sometimes hard coz when your angry or need to tell her somthing you just Stop and talk to her in Tagalog that she cant undestand or just dont talk kasi nauubusan ka na nang sasabihin (nose bleed hahaha)
Shes 4y/o and a Junior Kinder – she knows a lil tagalog like “opo” “kain” “ako” “ayaw” and we keep her to learn some more coz she need to when she gets to Senior Kinder for Filipino Subject.
Same here! She listens to English nursery rhymes but we often talk to her in Filipino. Been googling a lot too haha
Yes I've heard such stories too. That's why we talk in both. Hopefully your future kids would be comfortable using both.
Kids are like sponges. Talk to them in multiple languages and you will be amazed at how much they can soak in.
Nice! But I still think it depends on the child's learning potential. My parents did not teach us English at a young age, I turned out fine though. But one of my siblings isn't as fluent in it.
I agree! Learning English at a young age has a lot of benefits. I think it's easier to learn Filipino than learning English as your grow older. This is based from my experience versus my youngest brother's experience.
Being multi-linguistic at an early age can also made them very adaptable. I see that on my son so it's good to let them learn more than one language.
It has really good advantages and nothing wrong about it as long as Filipino is still being taught. It will give more opportunities to her and not to the point of losing her language identity.
I have seen so many little ones learning a new language at early ages. They are much more confident and sure of themselves! I think it is great that you are doing that!
I believe that it's a good thing that children learn foreign language as early as possible. However, does it not affect on how they will learn filipino? I have known some mommies who made their children learn english as their first language is now having problems learning filipino. As much as it sounds okay, I think filipino should be the first language children learns.
I agree that children can learn new languages faster than adults. My cousin who moved to Australia when she was 10 years old even adapted the Australian accent quickly! When she went back to the Philippines after 2 years, most of us are already having a hard time understanding what she's saying. Hahaha
I agree with teaching your kids English at a young age. I do this myself with children though we try to do it as natural as possible. Like adding simple English terms and sentences on our daily conversation. I also repeat my sentence in English then in Filipino so they learn and understand what I mean on both languages.
Don't sweat it. 2 languages? I learned four languages simultaneously. 🙂 I know many people who had to learn five languages.
Being Chinese born and raised in the Philippines, I learned English, Filipino, Chinese Mandarin and the local dialect my parents speak, Hokkien. Tsinoys living in provinces learn one more language, the local dialect.
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Yeah, I think kids should learn how to speak English starting from their early age! This will be a great platform which they can use for a lifetime. No one's exempted in speaking this language as we all know 🙂
It's a good thing that you decided to teach your kid both languages. I honestly don't get parents who only teach their kids English and then later on, have their children suffer in school because they cannot understand Tagalog.
My daughter speaks English from the very first time she learned to talk. Until now that she is four years old, she speaks English and is very fluent at it. She struggles speaking our local language but I do not worry about that because it can be easily adapted when she grows older.
I agree. Kids learn language faster than adults do, and I noticed the first don't struggle with accent. Learning English from a young age will certainly give them a head start, not just in academics but in every living as well. This is why I think cartoon shows shouldn't be dubbed in Filipino; it will help the kids learn English while being entertained.
I also agree that learning English is important. I'm also a first time mom so I'm crazy with research. As much as we want him to learn English, we also think that he needs to learn Filipino to survive "normal life" in the country. What we do is speak to him in both languages, but make sure that we do 1 sentence in just 1 language. It's still a few years before I get to see the effect since he's barely 2 years old, but at least it's a start 🙂
I don't have kids of my own but I always appreciate getting mommy tips this early just in case. 🙂 Recently, this topic has been brought up by a lot of my mom friends. But surprisingly, it's the other way around- they're having a hard time getting their kids to speak in Filipino. Around 99% them use English as a first language at home, and since it's also the medium used in school, their children have become averse to learning tagalog. It's become so bad, that we're actually developing a language app that will teach kids to speak in Filipino. Like you, I also believe there's an advantage to raising bilingual kids. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my future children have equal love for both languages.
Yes absolutely learning a language enhances cognitive skills and aids communication in the long run. In India where multiple languages are spoken children do end up learning at least 2- 3 languages- mother tongue, english and mostly one more…its a great skill for kids and best part is if you regularly communicage in these languages they pick it up fast