can i stop my ex wife from teaching my 20 month old son to speak in spanish.?

Question

i have been split up for 6 months.my ex wife to be is from peru,she has been here for 3 years and as soon as she got her residents visa she was off.
ok i know i was a fool bbut thats life.
i see my son wednesday nights and all day sunday.
the problem is my ex has never had any engkish friends and she only talks to the baby in spanish.
whenever i take him anywhere he doesnt understand anyone.
im frightened that when he starts school he wont have a clue and because of this he will be mocked and picked on.
has anyone got any ideas

i live in the uk,and i dont want my son not to learn spanish.but i think english should be his priority.

Answer 1

That's a tough situation. The only things I could suggest would be to ask her to try to help him learn english as well, since it's essential for his future schooling. Obviously you've tried this approach, but it doesn't hurt to continue. Secondly, whenever you do have him, spend alot of time talking to him. Try starting with just pointing things out and naming them constantly. At his age learning in two languages won't be that difficult, but since you don't have him anywhere near as much as she does you need to be extra vigilant. Point out everything you see, objects, store names, actions, etc. You may think you sound stupid, but it'll get through to him. And also I'd suggest getting him some age-appropriate videos (and VCR or DVD player if she doesn't have one) that he can watch at home. Watching pre-school/toddler programs in english will definitely help. My son has picked up so much watching these things and we speak english anyway! Good luck, and just count your blessings that you have your son, and that with your help he will grow up bilingual!

Answer 2

actually being able to speak a different language is a big plus, especially spanish. why not teach him as much english as you can while you have him? i know this is about more than just that though, you probably feel like she's taking him from you and alienating him by not teaching him english. consider that she would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. as for her taking off after getting her residents visa, that can actually be revoked depending on how long you were married...check with the local immigration office about it and you may find that you can get full custody of your son. one thing for sure he will not be mocked or picked on in school for this reason, that kind of stuff goes on no matter what language you speak.

Answer 3

My 7 year old speaks three languages and I speak 3 and get by in two more. How many do you speak? I find you very narrow minded and bitter. You child will maybe have a bit of a hard time in school at first but eventually the kid will pick up english in no time flat and he will be speaking 2 languages, which is priceless.

So let it go and worry about other things like feeding son son sugary processed foods which are much much worse for him than speaking spanish.

Answer 4

You should be proud that your son will be by-lingual, Most jobs today require a person who can speak in english and in spanish, when he is with you talk english to him , Let him know that there are different languages , Maybe get yourself a spanish speaking book to help you communicate with him better, I know alot of kids who are speaking spanish these days , alot of them watch a tv program called dora the explorer and she teaches them spanish, heck, I'm 40 years old and learned to count to 10 in spanish from watching sesame street. I wish I learned more. Also Tell your ex that you'll work with him to teach him spanish and English, but maybe she should learn english and teach it to your son also if your willing to learn spanish.

Answer 5

Learn to speak Spanish and try to get her to understand that the child needs to know English as well. If you go to some of the far southern states you really need to know Spanish. My deceased husband went to Miami Fl. and when he got there, they all spoke Spanish. He went to college just to learn Spanish and landed a Foreman's job at a steal mill. He can have the best of both worlds without running into language barriers. Give it a try. Good luck

Answer 6

You cant stop her from teaching the kid spannish but you can teach your son English especially the times that you are allowed to see him. rather than trying to stop her, which might result to unpleasant consequences, try and make the change yourself. Be very close and intimate with your son each time he is with you and teach him things you would like for him to inhibe. soon or later, he would start conversing in English. Also, dont get yourself unnecessary worried about your son and how he will cope when he starts school, what is the essence of schooling if not to teach kids new things? he will definately learn English and end up writing classical books like Shakespear

Answer 7

There is no harm in learning an additional language so long as your ex-wife is taking your son the right thing. Additional language may bring on advantages to your son when he grows up afterall this world is getting smaller. There may come a time when the languange comes in handy. Be positive.

Answer 8

Don't worry about that. First of all, he's becoming bilingual. Second, as soon as he starts having new friends and going to school he'll end up sticking to English by necessity.
When a kid learns two languages because of his parents, he can easily recognize and difference both languages, even think in both of them (sounds weird).

Answer 9

Buy a spanish-english translator. You and your son can learn words together. Don't worry about when he starts school, concentrate on your son being bilingual.

Answer 10

YOU teach him English. Trust me, it will benefit that baby in the long run to know Spanish. Look at the way the world is today. My four year old even knows some Spanish, and I love it. God bless Dora the Explorer.