English as a second language, family as a first priority?

Question

My boyfriend's family is a mix of 2 heritages, niether where english is a first language. His parents are divorced and have no contact. His father's family has made an effort to learn english and speaks fluently, if sometimes difficult to understand. His mother's family however has made little to no attempt to learn english. Some members of the family do not speak english at all despite being in the country for 30 plus years.
My boyfriend had a really had time learning english due to his mother and her lack of skills. My concern is that if we have kids, and his mother lives with us or close by, how influcened are they going to be her lack of english skills? (She will sometimes start off in english and finish in chinese, speaking superfast the entire time...)

Answer 1

don't worry about that, i grew up with everyone around me speaking another language. but, i learned english at school, & everywhere else. i speak it fluently.

Answer 2

Children are smarter than you think. As long as in their hoisehold they hear both languages evenly they will should not have a problem learning both fluently. Children are so smart that they eventually learn to speak a certain language around certain people.

English will not be a problem..trust me..they learn enough in school and w/friends.

I personally speak to my 2yr old more in Spanish beacuse I know that it won't be her main language when she goes to school.

Answer 3

Let the child grow up bilingual, but be sure that his English is as good as that of the kids around.

My niece is growing up bilingual Slovak-Dutch and does better in both languages than other kids her age. And so do most kids being raised bilingual.
But some kids suffer because their language abilities can not handle it. In that case it is better to go back to one language, English in your case.

Added,
Out of necessity it should be his grandma's language, as the lady can not really speak English.

Answer 4

my mom and dad arenot english adn i grow to be broiught up listenign to 2 languages at domicile. It made me p.c.. up many extra languages in college and characteristic large communication skills. now I also have a 2 twelve months old and his father is american. i'm the only source of the distant places language in his existence so i attempt and disclose him to my language as much as a danger as he has some plenty english flooding his ears! now and back h is receptive now and back he rebells and says interior the automobile" no mama do no longer say that". he loves gaining know-how of recent words precise now and via him gaining know-how of a 2d language its large. a new child possibilities up language via the persons he's closet to. thats u and bf. the mummy would be an further bonus.

Answer 5

I think your child will be fine. They will learn English and predominately speak it in school. I think it is great that you will have bi- lingual children. You can help correct your child if you notice any inconsistencies. They will have the best of two worlds.

Answer 6

for my experience，u shouldn't worry about this at all，

Answer 7

they will be talking in school and with friends...