On the third year anniversary of our journey into Spanish immersion I find it fitting to share with you what language immersion strategies have worked for us, and how my child has a new-found love with the Spanish language.
Photo via Common Creative: Marcus Koljonen, and Microsoft Word.
In the beginning I was filled with high-expectations, and I was so nervous of the outcome because I didn't start speaking to our son in Spanish since he was born; but when he turned 4 yrs. old. Seriously! I waited that long!
However, today it's a whole new chapter in our Spanish immersion journey. This is what a conversation between my now bilingual child is:
This may sound like a simple and ordinary Spanish conversation, but it goes beyond the ordinary. If you've been following our bilingual journey you will understand. This is the child who only knew his numbers, and colors in Spanish because of Dora!
I am taken aback by his natural ability to speak to me in Spanish using different phrases, and expressions. Natural in the sense that it wasn't forced. I'm noticing now how his thoughts and feelings in Spanish flow naturally out of his lips.
His native, and first language is English. However, his language of choice when communicating with me is Spanish; especially if he wants to share something with me, and doesn't want his Daddy to know. Ha!Ha!
Cultivating a love for his heritage language is finally paying off! When he hears a word in Spanish that he doesn't understand he asks what does it mean. When he wants to say a joke he says it in Spanish. When he goes to bed he says his prayers in Spanish. When he tells me I love you he says it in Spanish "¡Te amo!"
Looking back at our journey into Spanish Immersion this is what worked for us:
- If you’re using the OPOL method speak, speak to your child in your heritage language; which will most likely be the minority language.
- Enroll your child in a language immersion program.
- Have your child watch TV in the minority language.
- Read to your child in the minority language, and if possible purchase books in the minority language.
- If buying books is expensive consider visiting your local library or,
- Asks friends, and relatives when gifting to gift a book in the minority language. I have tons of books in Spanish that way.
- If possible, plan an immersion trip to a country where your child’s minority language is the community language. Don't forget to check out the local book stores for minority language children's books.
- Scout your child’s friends to organize a minority language play group or play date.
- Create a minority language text-rich environment in your home.
- Play music CD’s in the minority language over, and over. Trust me your child will pick-up on new words. Sing-along to the songs in the minority language. You can also play audio books to your child as well.
- Play games such as Zingo, and/or language apps in the minority language.
- If you as a parent are feeling ambitious, start a minority language summer program or book club.
While I've shared what has worked for us. Linguist, and mama Annabelle from The Piri-Piri Lexicon shares 40 tips for raising multilingual children! I kid you not, 40!
Don’t ever hesitate in your ability to nurture in your child a love for his or her heritage language. Don’t ever think it’s too late, and most importantly don’t ever give up on your child. There will be times it will look like an impossible feat to accomplish, or that your child may not be really “getting it”, but he is, he really is! Just give it some time, and both you and your child will reap the benefits.