There are many preconceived misconceptions : bilingualism and its learning, in this article we will demonstrate them to you. Bilingual education is a long way off… Don’t be discouraged by inaccurate information.
1. According to popular misconceptions: bilingualism, monolingualism is :
Conformity, and bilingualism a particularity,
Of course not!
Misconceptions : bilingualism, contrary to popular belief, is not a particularity. It is estimated that more than half of the world’s population is bilingual or even multilingual.
2. Misconceptions : bilingualism, Being bilingual is :
Perfectly appropriating two languages and two cultures at the same time.
Are you sure about this ?
Misconceptions : bilingualism : The mastery of two languages is rarely perfect and balanced. This idea about bilingualism is false. It is very rare to have total bilingualism because very often among bilinguals there is one dominant language. Thus the degree of language proficiency can vary according to different factors, and from one individual to another. It depends on its use, frequency, learning…
3. You can never be bilingual if :
You start too late to learn a second language.
These misconceptions : bilingualism are false.
Even if it is true that children learn foreign languages easily, there is no age limit, to start learning another language, the key to success is simply practice. Initiate yourself in a concrete and regular way, the more successful you will be in speaking it, and this in the long term. There is no ideal moment, everything depends on you: when you feel ready, go for it.
4. Before learning another language :
You must already master one perfectly.
Misconceptions : bilingualism –> And no !
These preconceived ideas about bilingualism, which consist in saying that one must master one language perfectly before learning another, are false. You continue to learn it throughout your life. It is with patience, training and willpower that one can succeed in perfecting one’s level of language, it is not in one month that one becomes a language genius.
5. A child in bilingual learning should :
Be accompanied by at least one bilingual parent.
Misconceptions: bilingualism –> Not at all !
These misconceptions : bilingualism are far from reality. First of all, bilingual education is for all children, regardless of the family linguistic context in which they live. A child can become bilingual without necessarily both parents or at least one of the parents being bilingual. There is no secret that becoming bilingual is a matter of training and education.
6. Misconceptions : bilingualism, you have to be strong to :
Achieve another language
Far from it!
To follow bilingual education does not mean that you have to be first in the class to do so. It is for all children who want to learn a second language, without any distinction! Mastering another language requires effort and perseverance, and that everyone can achieve.
7. It is necessary to abstain :
Assimilate other languages in the classroom.
Quite the contrary !
The use of different languages in the classroom will allow for complementary language development. This can only be a plus, and it allows cultural as well as linguistic differences to be emphasised, thus promoting language learning.
8. It is not absolutely possible to advise :
A discipline in another language without a perfect command of it.
Certainly not!
Language learning is cumulative and should be pursued outside the classroom, and it all depends on the strategy adopted by the teacher. The more you learn and practice a language, the more fluent you become. In many areas, skills are learned through repetition and practice.
9. Teaching your child two languages is risky:
It increases the danger of complexity in his training.
No it doesn’t!
Common misconceptions about bilingualism. Bilingual children have no more learning difficulties than monolingual children. Learning a new language allows them to develop their brain capacities, but also to maintain and improve their cognitive abilities.
10. The advantages of the introduction to bilingualism :
Are exclusively linguistic
Not only !
Bilingualism is a benefit, because it allows you to speak another language and to deepen your knowledge of it, but not only that, it also opens you up to the cultures associated with it, and it also makes it easier to communicate with others in the world. It is rather a richness, a super power 😉
You can of course contact us if you have any further questions on the subject. And if you are convinced that you now need a babysitter, you can consult the profiles of our super Marypop babysitter.
Follow all our news on www.instagram.com/marypopandthekids