Bilingualism - Myths or Facts

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Children who are learning English, or another dominant language as an additional language, benefit when their first language is valued.

When children mix their languages (e.g. use two languages in one sentence) it means that they are confused and having trouble becoming bilingual.

An individual must learn a second language as a young child in order to become bilingual.

Learning a second or third language is easier in early childhood rather than later.

Research indicates children who learn a dominant language after their home language is established (around age three) are able to acquire full fluency in the dominant language during their preschool and early school years.

If you want a child to speak the majority language, parents should stop speaking their home language with their child.

Bilingualism causes language delay.

The skill of bilingualism leads to long-term cognitive, social and economic advantages.

Myths

  • Bilingualism causes language delay.
  • When children mix their languages (e.g. use two languages in one sentence) it means that they are confused and having trouble becoming bilingual.
  • If you want a child to speak the majority language, parents should stop speaking their home language with their child.
  • An individual must learn a second language as a young child in order to become bilingual.

Facts

  • Children who are learning English, or another dominant language as an additional language, benefit when their first language is valued.

  • Research indicates children who learn a dominant language after their home language is established (around age three) are able to acquire full fluency in the dominant language during their preschool and early school years.
  • The skill of bilingualism leads to long-term cognitive, social and economic advantages.
  • Learning a second or third language is easier in early childhood rather than later.