What is the best way to raise trilingual children?

Question

I live in the UK, my husband and I speak different languages that we'd like our kids to learn. Should we speak to them in our respective languages and expect them to pick up English at nursery/school? Should we start with teaching them English to make sure they don't feel left out when they go to nursery/school and can make friends? Or should we speak all 3 languages at the same time??

Answer 1

Of course, it is your choice and whichever language you choose to speak to your children then I am sure they will still manage at school somehow.

However, I personally would have them speak English first - this is more practical not just for school but because you and your husband both speak different languages as well, therefore English can be a good "common language" you can all speak, rather than them having to pick up both of the other two languages at the same time.

I am also guessing (by your name) that you are French (sorry if you're not!) in which case your children will probably be learning French at school at some point anyway, so teaching them English first and then teaching them French will help them with school and also give them a headstart in their Modern Languages lessons.

Whatever you decide, I am sure your children will be fine. Being able to speak three languages, whatever order you learn them in, will be a major benefit in their lives

Answer 2

We are British and live in Spain. My daughter is married to a Spaniard and their daughter Jessica who is 5 speaks Spanish, and will sing and count in English but not speak it yet. She understands everything we say but responds in Spanish. We have been told that when she gets a little older she will automatically begin speaking English.
I also knew a family in Belgium who had a 5 year old. The father was Moroccan, mother English and of course lived in Belgium so the child understood Arabic, French, English and Flemish!!
One things for sure your child will learn enough at school/nursery so I would make it a game like we do...when we count etc we always ask what it is in English and Jessie responds at least then she knows the words in both languages.
Another thing is a fact as they don't start teaching languages in the UK until it's far too late so your child will have a head start later on. Good luck

Answer 3

The first two languages go ahead and teach them! When a child learns more than one language it stimulates areas of the brain which are not usually in use. However,I recommend teaching them at least the basics of English. When they get to school they WILL pick it up, but they most likely will be behind in classes until they are in grade 3 or 4.

No one can tell you how to raise your kids, but my mum taught in a school where most children either had English as a Second Language, or not at all, and they were often behind in their schooling because of it.

Answer 4

If you live in England of any other country where English is the national language then the first priority is to teach English. After that as you both speak other languages it will be advantageous for them to speak these also as as I see it once the grasp of another language is made than more are easier. However do not force the issue nodoubt the grand parents will come in useful also for this side as you can easily use this as an excuse to use your own languages.

Answer 5

I have experience raising bilingual kids. I live in Portugal but I am an english speaker. I always speak to my kids in english, even if they speak to me in portuguese - and I believe this is the key! So far (they are aged 3 and 5) my kids speak at exactly the same level in both languages, and they never had any problems with this, right from the beginning. They get english from me and my relatives when they come to visit, and portuguese from their mother and everyone else around them. As far as I'm aware (we have a couple of books on bilingualism which tackle your situation) adding another language shouldn't pose the kids any problems, as the growing brain can learn up to 5 languages without any problems at all.
So, be firm in always speaking your own language to your kids. The english they get all day long at school should be easily enough for them to learn it fluently, very quickly. Your job is the other two languages. If they speak english to you, answer in your own language - after about age 3 they get the point and learn to speak to you in an appropriate language (my son did this from the start, but my daughter spoke to me for 3 years in portuguese but suddenly one day emerged with perfect english). Also, if I were you I would try to get children's books and videos in your own language too, and make home an english free zone.
Don't mix languages in your own speech - this can confuse them. They may mix it up - you should give them the example of how your languages are spoken properly!

Answer 6

What a lukcy child that they will grow up automatically fluent in three languages. I am a mom of seven and I am Irish but living in the states for the past 17yrs. Obviously both my husband and I speak fluent English so we mainly speak that at home but ever since my kids were born I have spoken a bit of Irish and a bit of Spanish to them, of course Irish is no real help to them it just goves me a sense of promoting my home. The spanish that I spoke with them however really helped and they are all very capable speakers,the kids of school going age are top of their class in Spanish and thank me for starting them at an early age.
I would suggest you both speak to your child in your respective languages ONLY so as not to confuse the child thus they will assosciate the language with the particular parent. With regards to the English I wouldn't worry too much,they will pick it up very quickly at school,however if you are concerned that this is not soon enough enroll them in an activity,perhaps reading hour in the library or a sport, something they can attend before they are of school going age to give them a bit of a head start.
Good Luck with it they will thank you in the future it is a magnificent gift to be able to give any child.

Answer 7

you and your husband should only speak to the child directly in your own language.
But maybe when youre together you both speak English.
Three languages would then seem normal.
What a great start for a child.

Answer 8

What lucky children. If you are schooling them in England I would advise teaching them English to a good level before they enter school to assist their learning and ensure they do not fall behind. It is very helpful to also speak in your other languages at home so they are used to hearing it and pick up when they can.

It is a very interesting question.

Answer 9

Never underestimate your childrens potential. I would teach them english as a primary language. It will help them integrate when they go to nursery. Once they are talking, introduce the other languages to them.

Answer 10

I am a 4-laguage-speaking girl. my mom is romanian and my dad is greek, despite the fact that i was born in greece. because my mom and dad wanted to send me to a english school, i had to start learning english from nursery. that's what i did.

but hold on. in my kindergarden years, i had to learn italian, french and german. so imagine the stress i had from that time. so right now i know: romanian, greek, english, french, italian and german.

when i started school, all went bananas! i gradually started to forget my unused languages like italian and german. so in the end, i only know four languages: greek, romanian, english and french.

i have lessons on each language because i don't want forget the languages, although i miss talking italian and german. right now i can only understand some italian :(.

i would stongly advise you that your kids can earn a extraordinary living in the future if they know as many languages as possible. right now i'm 12 years old and in year7/grade 6.

good luck for you and your kids :D