Multilingualism is a blessing in many ways and a nightmare in others. Although the pros may outnumber the cons, some parents are still concerned about raising a multilingual child. Raising a multilingual child can be a challenging task, and yet there are so many benefits that come with being multilingual for your child.
the blessings
1. Your child is ahead of everyone else in life from the start
Multilingualism is a tremendous factor in giving your child a head start, whether in school or later in life. Since her son has the opportunity to learn two or more languages simultaneously, she becomes a much more alert and intelligent child. She will be able to learn new things quickly and learn new words in no time.
2. Your child’s reading and writing skills are improved
Learning more languages means more reading and more writing. This will surely sharpen your child’s reading and writing skills. He will be smarter than most of the kids in his class and isn’t it great to see him recite the French poem you taught him and watch the audience stare in awe at his perfect French pronunciation?
3. Helps develop your child’s character and personality
If your child knows more than two languages then it is an extremely good thing as it will help in the development of the whole child. She will grow up to be more tolerant of other cultures and societies and will learn to respect their traditions and customs. It will also give you an edge over others and thus boost your self-confidence and build your self-confidence.
4. Your child will learn to adjust and adapt
Multilingualism will teach your child to adapt to various life situations and not invariably react to various life situations. Everything she reads while learning the languages will tell her that there are ways things should be done and that is the right approach. Rushing into a decision will get you nowhere. Since she knows many languages, he will feel comfortable wherever life takes him.
5. Your child will have better career prospects
In today’s multicultural world, knowing just one language is not enough. There are trade agreements between countries that do not understand each other’s languages. In such scenarios, which are very common these days, his son will have an advantage over his colleague who may know only one language. Most multinational companies now specify the need for employees who know at least one other language besides English.
6. You can feel closer to your child this way
If your child knows their long-lost mother tongue, you may be able to relate to your child in a better and more intimate way. In fact, the child may even use this language to show her affection or make you feel special.
the banes
1. You may have to work harder
Teaching a single language to a child is a difficult job in itself. With someone else’s added load, it can be hard for you to keep up. The child cannot be expected to learn the languages in a few days. You have to constantly keep pushing your limits of patience and dedication in order to teach your child a language correctly. You have to be constantly vigilant if you want your child to be multilingual. In today’s fast-paced world with your own jobs and commitments, this may not be such an easy task.
2. Your child may take longer to start talking
Since your child is learning many words in many languages, it may take time for her to absorb all that she is learning and express it in her own way. This may concern some parents, as their child may not have started talking but her friend has. But be patient and learn to wait because this wait is definitely worth it.
3. Your child may end up confusing languages
It is quite common for your child to mix words from different languages if they are learning more than two together. She may not be able to express herself in one language and therefore uses the other language’s word as a substitute. But this shouldn’t worry you, as his vocabulary of both languages gradually increases, he won’t mix words anymore. He will be able to express himself in both equally well and that is when you will be proud of your child and all the efforts you put into making him a polyglot.
So in case you hesitate, don’t do it, as all the trouble is worth what you get in the end.