Hi, I'm German and my husband is American. We live in the States and we are planning on having a baby in the near future. Is there anyone who is raising their child bilingual (German and English). If so, what is the best way to do it?
2007-04-01 05:11:19 · 7 answers · asked by I 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
My husband only speaks a little German.
2007-04-01 05:45:05 · update #1
We're not, but my sister-in-law and her husband are with their 3 children. They speak Spanish all the time at home, and the children are exposed to English through extended family, daycare, tv, and other external sources.
If your husband doesn't speak German, then you should try always speaking to the baby in German, while your husband speaks English to/around him/her.
2007-04-01 05:20:10 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter in law is bilingual. As a small child they spoke both in home. The best time to teach a second language is before the child is 5. (that is what they claimed back in the 70's & 80's. When my son went to school he was in a private school and the taught english, spanish and sign all at one time. Kids are very smart and pick up things very well. ( when you throw or roll the ball to her say ball and then say it in german ) I don't think you will have to much trouble.
2007-04-01 12:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by Nani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know of a situation where the mother spoke only French and the father spoke only English. She grew up to speak both with only a slight accent in English. I know of another situation where the mother and father spoke only Spanish at home and let the child learn English at school. That was more difficult, but because the child was able to pick up English at school it worked out. I would be hesitant with doing it that way if my child appeared to be having problems in school with English. I guess you'll have to see how it works and modify it as you go.
2007-04-01 12:20:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I am American and my husband is Mexican together we have a son and I speak English to him and his daddy speaks Spanish to him. It's been like that since he was born. He is turning 3 on April 7 and understands Spanish and English, it is good for a child to know both of his cultures. It teaches him that the world is different and its OK to be different.
2007-04-01 12:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by mammagin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats what my parents tried to do with me and Spanish, i said tried becuase it didnt work, i told them when i was 3-4 years old that i didnt want to anymore, and now im regreting it even though i dont remember doing it. Whatever u do, if your child says stop, dont stop! Its for his own good. I've picked up Spanish anyway becuase right now im an exchange student in Chile, but it would hav been easier if i had come already speaking Spanish.
2007-04-01 12:25:23 · answer #5 · answered by The quiet one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mum is Austrian and my Dad is English. I am not bilingual. However, my brother who still lives in Austria, married a lovely Mexican girl, and they speak their own native language with their son, because he is so young he picked it up easily.
2007-04-01 12:20:33 · answer #6 · answered by Mum-Ra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
speak both languages around the kid and he will learn both
2007-04-05 11:48:43 · answer #7 · answered by Antonio H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋