I don't often blog about bilingualism in our family anymore, as it's just become so ordinary for us it doesn't occur to me to talk about it. Also in my current social world, our family is far from unique, I know so many bilingual families here, it's not something that people we know really question us about!
When we lived in England, and had 2 very small children we used the OPOL (One Parent One Language) method, hubby spoke in French with the kids and I in English. This worked very well, we could see from a very young age that they could understand equally well in both languages. However they only spoke in English. This was due to their environment being an English one.
When we moved to France 3 years ago, they were of course exposed to much more French than ever before, and gradually (very gradually) started to use it. I continued to speak to them in English, as they were still so young, I was concerned about them not hearing enough English anymore. It became necessary for them both to start speaking in French the majority of the time, at school with their friends, and out in public (in the classroom is different as they use Breton at school).
Interestingly, English remained strong at home for a long while, and they would play together in English. It was only as Max started school and his French improved dramatically thanks to the playground, that they then switched to speaking and playing in French together this summer.
I speak very good French and hubby's English is excellent too, but we have always spoken together in French. So it can sometimes feel a bit forced for me to switch to English with the kids, especially if we're all chatting together. It's almost like saying French isn't good enough. But I was so concious of the OPOL (one parent one language) theory, and how important it was to continue speaking your native tongue with your children that I hadn't considered other options until now.
Then recently I came across this article on a blog I follow, about 'domains of use'. I've heard of this before but never thought it through. The author talks about parents who are comfortable using both languages, should do so in front of the children, modelling themselves as bilinguals and supportive of both languages. Each family can choose where they use which language and adapt it to their needs. This has reassured me and makes things a lot easier in our house. I tend to speak in French with the kids when we're out and about, I just feel more comfortable this way. If I'm at home alone with them then I speak in English, and so do they. And when Papa is home we all speak in French. We have books in both languages, and it means Papa can read Little Miss Stubborn and I can read Monsieur Chatouille with the children, sometimes my children help us if we make any mistakes. Instead of being embarrased or cross, we thank them. We have to encourage learning and show that we can all make mistakes but that it's ok. We don't have a 'minority language', but that's possibly because we're lucky to have English as one of our languages. English is everywhere, even in France and so there is no chance of it becoming a minority or forgotton language.
When it comes to their schooling, they are in a Breton immersion school. This is great, Laila is very fluent in Breton and Max is doing really well too, starting to use it in the classroom. I teach English in this school, and the teachers want me to only speak in English with the students who are 8-11yrs old. However, when you're only with a group of children (beginners) for 45mins each week, English immersion doesn't really work. I use French to explain things, and I strongly believe that it's good for them to see me as a bilingual who can switch easily from French to English, rather than someone who only speaks one language. I hope I can be a role model for these children, to aspire to be multi-lingual and to see all the advantages that can bring you.
If I can give any advice to young multi-lingual families, it would be don't be afraid to try and test different ways of using your languages, and when your home situation changes don't forget to adapt!
2 comments:
Great you can be so relaxed about it now. Since the summer we have been a bit more confident about it too just because the wee man is using it now! We have found that having a good relationship with his Italian grandparents has really been key to making it all work. Now he will generally speak to his dad in Italian and me in English.
I try to only stick to English with Juliette but as she's more immersed in school she'll often respond in French. It bothered me at first and I tried to dissuade her. But I realized I was spending a lot of time and energy on it. She'll eventually go back to English and I know she knows English. I think each family has got to find the best compromise for themselves. A British expat who's been in France for years said kids will speak in French together because it's their "play" language, what they speak at recess. So even bilingual kids may revert to French together. That reassured me too.
Post a Comment