Due to migration, marriage, economic mobility, sociological structure and globalization, interaction between language groups is increasing and bilingualism or multilingualism is becoming widespread. Many families want their children to learn at least one foreign language other than their mother tongue due to the opportunities provided by bilingualism. These demands of families cause some questions and concerns. In this article, we will talk about bilingualism and its importance, things to consider and suggestions. We can define bilingualism as having a certain level of competence in listening, speaking, reading and understanding in two different languages.
Being Bilingual;
- Improves creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Improves mental functions,
- Increases the chance of being successful or excelling in scientific fields.
- A new, different language. facilitates learning,
- Improves linguistic understanding and perception,
- Increases communication with different communities and cultures.
- It eliminates prejudice against different societies.
Two When we look at the positive reflections of bilingualism on the individual, we can say that bilingualism is a wealth.
How should bilingual education be carried out in children?
Dual language teaching can occur in two ways. It can be in the form of being exposed to two languages simultaneously from birth or learning two different languages consecutively in early childhood. If children are learning two languages at the same time, parents and caregivers should apply the 'one person-one language' method. In this method, adults speak to the child consistently in the same and single language. For example, if the caregiver speaks English and the family speaks Turkish, the caregiver should always communicate in English and the parents speak Turkish. If the child is taught English at school, the family should speak their native language Turkish at home. Thanks to these approaches, children distinguish two languages faster and learn faster. In summary, children should be exposed to two languages on a regular and continuous basis.
From the moment the baby is born and begins to communicate with his/her environment, there are two languages. Is it correct to speak the language?
It is known that brain development is very important in the first three years and that the child's language acquisition is easier during this period. During the two-year-old period, there are more synaptic connections in the child's brain than in an adult. These synaptic connections in the brain are lost when not used. For this reason, we can say that it is more advantageous to teach the child two different languages in the early period.
Does the use of double languages cause speech delay?
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In situations where two languages are spoken at home, a temporary speech delay may occur during periods when both languages are spoken. Children usually close this gap in the future and do not experience speech delay. At the end of the process, they have the same word count and grammar knowledge as monolingual children. Depending on the intensity of use of languages, one language may be a little more dominant, and the dominant language may be spoken more fluently and successfully. It should not be thought that there is a delay in speaking by looking at the non-dominant language.
Do the two languages mix in children who are taught bilingualism?
The idea that children taught bilingualism will confuse the two languages is wrong. As is the case with adults who know two languages very well, it is also common for some children to sometimes blend the two languages when making sentences (such as "Mom, give me milk."). Can often introduce words from the dominant language he/she uses most into the other language. This situation gradually decreases as the development of both languages is completed.
Can a child who learns the native language at home start learning the second language in nursery or kindergarten?
When children start learning a second language at an early age, it makes it easier for them to fully master the new language. If the child can express his wishes, feelings and thoughts in his native language and ask questions, he can start learning a second language in nursery or kindergarten. For children who have difficulty using their native language, second language education should be postponed until the child is ready.
How should families who want to teach their children two languages at the same time tell their children? Can it help?
It would be advantageous for the child to start teaching two different languages in as natural an environment as possible and at the earliest age. Families who have to learn two different languages or who want their children to acquire two different languages simultaneously should use both languages equally from the moment the child is born. If the mother and father have different native languages, each parent should communicate with the child in their native language and maintain this attitude determinedly. If the language spoken at home and the language spoken at school are different, the language used at school should not be used at home to develop both languages equally. If this is not done, the child will tend to use the school language at home and the home language may decline. In the early stages, children can create sentences by blending two languages. Parents and teachers should understand and be a model by saying the right sentence. Forcing the child while teaching two languages may cause the child to develop reluctance and resistance to learning a second language. All children can speak both languages without an accent if they hear them from native speakers and have the opportunity to hear and speak both languages equally. If the child does not receive appropriate support at home or at school while teaching two languages, he may not be able to reach the desired level of language development.
What are the problems that await children growing up in an environment where two languages are spoken?
Children who grow up in an environment where two different languages are spoken from the moment they are born can learn both languages naturally. Studies have shown that the ages at which monolingual and bilingual children begin to speak and their language development are not different. If the presentation of these languages to the child is appropriate or there is no negative situation that prevents the child from learning, they will not have any problems.
What should be taken into consideration to accelerate the language development of bilingual children?
Families should provide opportunities for the child to use both languages. Each should be exposed to different people and different environments where he/she can use both languages. It will attract children's attention, save language teaching from being a chore, and help them cope with daily life. Relevant and interesting methods should be used. Structured games should be played with the child in both languages as much as possible, songs should be sung, stories and memories should be told.
In what cases should a second language not be taught?
If the child has mental dysfunction, autism and learning disabilities, the first goal should be to gain proficiency in a language. In such exceptional cases, the language most used in the child's social environment should be preferred and a second language should not be offered.
What are the problems that await children growing up in an environment where two languages are spoken?
If the child speaks two languages at home and the mother and father do not have sufficient command of both languages, there may be difficulties in communication within the family. Bilingual children can sometimes make sentences by mixing two languages together or communicate with the other person in the wrong language, in which case the family may take a negative approach. These negative approaches can negatively affect the child's mental state.
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