For any of us lucky enough to spend a few weeks in Greece [insert here {any foreign country}], we returned home with greater fluency in communication skills as a result of higher recall and increased vocabulary.
How does it happen? How can we mimic some of the variables that help to develop a bilingual child? Children are forced to use all their senses when hearing a language that they do not understand. If we think about entering a foreign setting where we understand little to nothing, wouldn't we watch carefully, the facial expressions of the people around us, their body language, tone of voice, where or what they are pointing at?
Looking for tips on helping pass on your bilingual background to your children?....Well you're in the right place. As a teacher of Greek as a second language, and mom of three, I've got useful and fun tips for you. Studies show children benefit greatly from being bilingual both intellectually and in effect, academically. So I hope that I satisfy a niche out there trying to pass on the beauty of speaking the language of your grandparents. Happy travels.
Quick ideas for keeping children motivated..
*Do something different, like a "pajama party", where the children get to sleep in sleeping bags in the den with you, and play games that require them to speak in (insert second language here). For some detailed ideas, feel free to read the 1/22/10 post.
*Decorate a coffee can of small trinkets as a treasure box (keep it varied) and let children pick from it, if they learn a new phrase and use it at least 5 times in one day.
You can keep a log of the weekdays-if each day they practice numbers 1-10, or colors for example in the foreign language, they get to pick a movie.
(Remember, your own motivation and attitude are contagious)...keep it fun and reward yourself for the hard work.
"I know I'm intelligent because the more I learn, I realize I know nothing" - Socrates