When I was younger, I thought I’d grow up to speak many languages. The concept of communicating in different ways intrigued me. Unfortunately, my fear of making mistakes got in the way, plus I had some rather high-stress foreign-language teachers. Had I been involved in a comfortable situation with a trusted individual (or multiple people) teaching me a second (or third) language, perhaps I would have succeeded.
Indeed, The Bilingual Edge, which I acquired free-for-review via the Parent Bloggers Network, debunks several myths (what? I am not over-the-hill language-learning wise?), and reinforces some of my suspicions (high pressure is not a good situation in which to acquire a language.)
Certainly, I hope that my sons can be bilingual, or even trilingual, but the authors point out that it isn’t just “school language” that leads to the cognitive and career benefits of learning multiple languages; true fluency must be reached to really impact one’s life. (Of course, appreciation for another language, ethnicity, and culture is all wonderful for those who like to “dabble,” but the focus here is on actual comprehension of a new tongue.)
As I learned about the commitment and ways that subsequent languages (and even primary languages) are learned, I thought it akin to an exercise program. It isn’t as though you can strap on those little electrical sensors to “jolt” your abs into shape, or connect your stomach to a jiggle machine and expect the fat to melt away. Rather, you must begin an active program and stick with it. Likewise, the passive and sporadic learning from watching a DVD or occasionally using a series of flash cards isn’t going to create an environment in which a different way of communicating can be internalized.
Shortly I will be reviewing some Spanish-language DVDs. I’ll explain at that time why I think that particular program can be useful for reinforcing language learning. But, relying solely on such programs will not lead to the depth of mastery that we would hope to obtain. The Bilingual Edge makes it clear that it is the human interaction that is the key. So if you are comfortable reading a bedtime story in the target language, that is much better than pressing “play” on the DVD player for a cartoon character to recite the same story.
True multilingualism opens up different ways of seeing the world. I found it fascinating to learn about how different languages emphasize different parts of speech, and thus, how this hierarchy relates to abilities. From The Bilingual Edge, pg. 11: “Korean toddlers are better at certain verb-related tasks involving tools. But English-speaking children perform better on noun-related tasks like categorizing objects.”
This last bit, “… like categorizing objects,” hit me a funny way since my six-year old son is on the autistic spectrum and has difficulty with categorizations. I’ve often described sensory processing of those on the spectrum as being a “difference” rather than a “disability,” because it is clear that these individuals excel in different types of processing. Several months ago, I posted about "Ballastexistenz" on the Karianna Spectrum regarding how “language” can be misinterpreted if one thinks of it in a narrow way.
I absolutely believe in learning differences, regardless of native language. But the flexibility that comes with understanding different processing systems can open up a whole range of possibilities.
The Bilingual Edge teaches readers that language is not a narrow concept. Different languages have different rules, different symbols, and different sounds. Being open to different ways of looking at the word linguistically opens up other ways of being creative.
So even if you are convinced that learning a second (or third, or more) language is the right thing to do, how do you go about it?
The meat of The Bilingual Edge tackles this, from selecting the language to determining how to establish a program and to reinforce language-learning. This is not a “quick answer” situation. To create a meaningful and successful learning environment, the family commitment must be there, regardless of whether the parents themselves speak the target language.
The book does have a section on “special needs.” I was pleased that although they note that many people would imagine “forget bilingualism; these kids have enough challenges as it is!” that learning another language might assist with coping overall, for those issues of flexibility and different ways of looking at the world noted earlier. I know my son fears failure, so would be nervous about making mistakes in another language, but this is true for a variety of subjects, so it isn’t reason enough to decide not to try!
Although learning another language is a commitment, The Bilingual Edge stresses that the learning process should not be “regimented” or filled with pressure. If the exposure to the language is in some ways “incidental” (even if the parents have planned it precisely,) it is a more comfortable environment for the child to learn. Toddlers make mistakes in their primary language, so they should certainly feel free to make mistakes in their new language. Likewise, the rest of us need to embrace the new language with the expectation that mistakes will be made, but that through that experimentation, we learn to communicate.
I look forward to revisiting the ideas that The Bilingual Edge introduces so that I can determine the best route for my sons (and each son definitely has a different learning style.)
Check out The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language
