So many people in our day and age are bilingual. The immigration opportunities have really made a difference in the population in that sense; and even if not bilingual, most people at least speak an additional language or two just from learning it or from picking it up from TV and movies.
Another language can do a person a lot of good. It can open doors later in life, and even the process of learning itself is great and really widens the horizons, not to mention how it sharpens a person’s learning capabilities. If you’re interested in giving your kid the gift of a second language, here are a few ways to get you started.
#1: Through videos
Being engrossed in something can help learning a lot and is much better than trying to just memorize words and phrases. You can watch favorite TV shows in your chosen second language together. At first it will be hard to understand but that’s OK – it takes practice and your own assistance!
There are even shows dedicated to language learning. Check out TuTiTu’s Language Learning series for getting the basics down:
#2: Through games and books
Letting the new language wash over you is a good start but it’s not enough – you need to also incorporate some active learning. Once the basics are down, you can read books together (it’s an effort, but it’s so rewarding to succeed!) If your child is not old enough to read, play games instead. Whichever games you’re used to playing – pretend play, card games, puzzles and so on – try to play in your second language, even just parts of it.
#3: Through immersion
Of course, the best way to learn the language is to be surrounded by it. If you get a chance to visit a country that speaks your second language, that could make an amazing experience for the children. You can read signs together, talk to local vendors and enjoy hearing it being spoken all around you.
If that’s not an option, you can imitate this situation at home: have a second-language party! Print out signs in that language, talk only in it, play its native music in the background and even serve snacks relating to its culture. Fun!
How do you help the children learn a second language?
Tell us your ideas in the comments!