Myths
- Learning a second language will interfere with the child’s ability to learn English. “In most cases, learning another language enhances a child’s English ability. Children can learn much about English by learning the structure of other languages. Common vocabulary also helps children learn the meaning of new words in English.” ERIC, Education Resources Information Center
- Monolingual parents don’t know enough of the foreign language to teach their child. Perhaps the most damaging myth, parents do not have to be native speakers or know the foreign language to teach it to their children. There are many ways to increase children’s exposure to a foreign language; bilingual television, songs, bilingual preschool, books, movies, bilingual toys & computer games, and playgroups with children who speak the foreign language.
- If parents are not native speakers, the children will pick up their mistakes with the language. As long as there is a good model of the language, the children will not develop an incorrect use of the language.
