Myths
- Speaking 2 or more languages to a child can “confuse” them, so it’s better to only speak 1 language.
- Young bilingual children are delayed in learning language compared to peers who only speak on language
- People who are bilingual acquire their two or more languages in childhood
- Children become bilingual just by listening to people around them speak the second language
- If your child uses both languages in one sentence, it means they are confused and don’t understand they are learning 2 different languages
Facts
- All children are capable of learning multiple languages, including children with developmental delays and learning disabilities
- Bilingualism does NOT cause language delays and has been shown to improve children’s abilities to learn new words, identify sounds, and problem-solve.
- You can become bilingual at point in your life, whether in childhood or adulthood
- Learning language is an active process that required many opportunities for children to practice communicating with others
- When a child uses 2 languages within a sentence, it is called “code-switching”. Code-switching is a normal part of bilingualism and is not a concern.
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