Being a bilingual or coming from bilingual family could have been a big advantage, as everyone would think. But reality is opposite, at least for me.
As a bilingual child myself, my mother was born and raised in Slovenia, small European country, and my father was born in Croatia and raised in Bosnia. All three countries were part of former Yugoslavia. They met on one of the gorgeous islands, Mali Losinj, on Croatian coast in Adriatic Sea, both looking for adventure. Living in Bosnia and speaking, at the time called Serbo-Croatian language, was just great to me. The life was peaceful, fun and responsibility free. Until, we moved to Slovenia and my father bought Slovenian books and since then we banned usage of Serbo-Croatian language. I was too little to understand, only nine years old, but I listened to my father. It might sound too harsh, but at the time, to him as a father and protector of his family, was the smartest thing to do. Now, happened just over night, he was raising Slovenian children. (For everyone who is not familiar with Yugoslavia and Yugoslav war, we moved to Slovenia in 1992 due to war.)
I remember my mother trying to teach me few Slovenian words before war and I was never really interested in learning them. It was funny to me repeating those funny weird words. I wasn’t serious about it. And she never wanted to force us to learn her mother language. It must be hard for her as a mother. So, when we moved to Slovenia, I had to learn it! I went to school and I did not speak the language. I did not know anyone. It was hard. But, thanks to my father, in only few months, I mastered the language and after school, I worked at District Court and Law Office, mastering my language even more. He might banned his own mother language, but he sacrificed it for his children.
When I became a mom, I promised myself that my children will never speak only one language. My kids will never go though what I had to go through. ‘I will start from day one’! And I did. We spoke three languages in our household when Alex was born. I spoke Slovene, my husband spoke Serbo-Croatian and we both spoke English as well. I was so excited to raise bilingual child. Until my child was almost three, and he did not say a word. In any language! I was devastated. I was scared! I cried every day. All doctors said that he was confused. Too many languages can cause speech delays. And he didn’t know what language to speak. So, I was thinking to myself, ‘Is it worth it??’ One day my husband and I decided to speak only one language- English. Only few months later, we could have a long mother and son conversation. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life!
Today Alex is almost six and our daughter Bella is almost three years old. We try to speak Slovenian or Serbo-Croatian every day. One word, one word, better then no words at all. Thanks to my mom and dad, who come to States every year, and thanks to Skype and Facebook Call, we can chat and call each other almost every day. I must admit that Isabella is very quick and she picks up words immediately, like her daddy. My husband lived in France and Germany when he was in middle and high school and he was always the best student of the class!! What a bilingual mind he is. And today, he is learning Slovenian language. I know it’s not my dream come true, but it is at the same time. My kids have the best teacher by their side, and that is their mother. Slowly and safely. It is never too late.
Here are few suggestions for parents who were born and raised in lingual speaking family and are looking into teaching their children additional languages.
1) LANGUAGE SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN
Look into signing up your child for language classes. There are so many private schools that offer many fun languages for your children; Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Arabic, and more. If you are looking into something new, you should totally try that!
2) SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Some school districts offer duel language programs. Our school district offers a duel language program, where they speak 50/50 Spanish and English.
3) TRY WITH FOREIGNER SITTER OR AU PAIR
Many Au Pairs are flying from many foreigner countries to States to help American families. They could be a perfect teacher for your child! Try here.
4) PRIVATE CLASSES
There are many individuals, foreigners, teachers, who are willing to teach your child any language. I think United States is the perfect country that has so many people from so many countries around the world, that you can pick any language you want and you will be able to find someone who will offer you instructions. Instructors are not usually certified translators, but they are bilingual.
5) ANCESTORS
Did your grand-grandfather came to America from Poland? Or Germany, Italy? If you are not familiar, ask your family about it. There are many centers and churches that are teaching these languages. They are connecting their people, immigrants and born in America.
If you are bilingual and you have small children, what have been your way of teaching them? What are your suggestions?