BILINGUAL CHILDREN

Fifty years ago children of dual nationality parents tended to learn only the language of the country they were living it. Bilingualism was not encouraged as many felt that kearning two languages would slow down the language development of the children. However, research discredited these ideas.

It is now acknowledged that bilingualism is a valuable asset in the development of a child. Apart from the obvious benefits of being able to communicate easily with people of different nationalities, the bilingual child is acquainted with two cultures and thus is better at understanding the viewpoints of other people. This means that having more than one cultural identity heightens your ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

So, while the particular usefulness of the language the child speaks depends on how widely spoken they are internationality, in terms of a broader, more abstract value, learning language in advantageous.  

Also, research has found that bilingual children do better at school than those who speak only one language. This has been put up to the fact that bilingual chlidren have more subtle use of language, can analyse and develop better communication skills.

But is it not easy raising these children. Is it better to start teaching a child a second language from birth with the father speaking to the child in one language and the mother in the other. But young children are often embarrased if one parents speaks to them in foreign language whem they are with their friends. They feel it sets them apart from their peers at an age when they want to conform. Also, some children rebel against the mionority language which makes the parent who speaks it feel rejected and it can upset family relationship.