I have recently given birth to twins, whom I plan to teach both Spanish and English as their native language.?

Question

....I didn't do this with my first son, so he only speaks English. Can I teach him at the same time; will he be able to learn (he is five years old)? By the way, my girls are Kristiana and Alessandra

Answer 1

The best way to teach a bilingual child is for him/her to associate each language to a person. If you live in an English Speaking country, speak to them only in Spanish. If it's the other way around, vice-versa. If possible, you can speak to them in one language and your spouse/partner in the other. This will help them limit the languages (which at first they will inevitably mix up). Also expect them to start speaking some time later then other children. Bilingual children take more time to develop the ability to express themselves, but it's worth the wait!

Five years old makes a child too old to be 100% bilingual because the period in which the brain separates the languages into the two different hemispheres of the brain has passed for him, but he can learn and become very fluent, just never 100% bilingual.

Answer 2

The following is part of an article I found interesting. If you wish to read the rest, just follow the link I provided bellow.
Yes. It is entirely possible to teach an infant two or even three languages, and four is not unheard of. In Europe, a great many toddlers learn four languages with little or no difficulty. The main requirements for this learning are: the parents speak only their mother-tongue to the child; the child has some reason to learn the languages (motivation); and there is reinforcement of some kind for these languages, preferably outside the home. If the language of the environment is a third language, then the child will easily learn the third language once they start playing with neighbourhood children.
There appears to be a 'window' of learning language that 'opens' at about the age of ten months. Infants can hear much earlier, of course, and there is some evidence that they can even hear in the womb. It is clear that they will begin to imitate the 'noises' they hear, and when there is a reaction from their caregivers, they begin to associate meanings with the sounds. Over the next two years, infants acquire language at an astonishing rate. By the age of three, they have acquired basic syntax (sentence structure), basic grammar (the 'rules' of the language), and a large vocabulary of basic words necessary to their physical and emotional survival. Their motivation to talk with their caregivers is high: asking for something usually results in being given the thing they need. Similarly, when the infant begins to play outside, with other children, then the motivation to talk to these children is high, and the infant will try to learn the language of play. Later on, at school, the language of the school will be important, too.

Answer 3

Yes, your son is still at an age where he can become fluent a lot more easily than adults can. Also, it is a very good idea for you to teach your twins both languages. Despite what some people think, this actually DOES NOT confuse them at all and it helps them to learn the languages at a faster rate.

So, you are doing a really good thing by teaching them both languages. ;) And congrats on all of your children! You didn't tell us your son's name, but your daughters have very pretty ones.

Answer 4

He is definitely still young enought to catch on to Spanish. I'm so glad you are doing this. My mother did not teach my brother and I Spanish so neither of us speak it. I can understand it very well but I really wish I could speak it.
So if I am not fluent but can understand, then your son definitely will be able to both understand it and speak it if you start now! This is going to be a great decision to help their futures. Bilingualism is a much sought after ability in today's workforces. Good luck!

Answer 5

Children's brains are like sponges; they pick up whatever is around them.
My advise: speak Spanish at home, and the English will be learned elsewhere & everywhere.

Grew up in a home where 4 languages were spoken; still speak, write all 4 well.Never got confused.

Answer 6

i think it would work. i am german and lived in the states for almost 10 years now. my daughter is 11 and my son is 5.
we flew to germany to see my family this summer and my 5 year old actually picked up quiet a bit within those 4 weeks we were there.
my daughter speaks it quiet a bit, but not because i speak german with her, not as much as i should anyways, but because she talks to my family on the phone.

so yeah, i most defenetly would give it a chance. if my 5 year old picked up german words and actually talked a bit after 4 weeks your son will learn spanish in a heartbeat if you keep it up with your twins!!

good luck, and a happy new year

Answer 7

yes, he's still young enough that learning shouldn't be too difficult, although he'll need a slightly different sort of instruction (obviously, since he's older & already speaks english). but if you start with him now, i bet he could be a big help teaching your twins.

Answer 8

of course, your son's brain might function better if he comes bilingual.