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Helping child speak non local language (feddit.de)

submitted 1 year ago by Dislodge3233@feddit.de to c/parenting@lemmy.world

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My kid [3yrs] speaks the local language with his other parent (separated. 50/50). and English with me (my native language). I speak both and my kid knows this, so I can't hide it.

He speaks the local language well, but English is a struggle. Comprehension is 100%, but he only speaks random words. He mostly speaks to me in the local language. Where we live, he will learn English in school, so I'm not worried about that.

I've tried various things to get him speaking English, but it's a struggle.

Are there any strategies that might work?

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[–] Oatier@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I heard a dad who would repeat every single thing the child said in the "wrong language". That is translate it and say it back to them before answering. It makes them learn but nearly more importantly it bores them out so much to just hear what they say repeated in another language they get motivated to speak the "correct" one to you. It works kinda like this:

Kid: I want to go on the trampoline with my friends tomorrow (in the "wrong" language)

Patent: Ah you want to go on the trampoline with your friends tomorrow? Well of course you can, just be careful (in the "right" language)

[–] Dislodge3233@feddit.de 4 points 1 year ago

Yeah. I did this unconsciously just to verify I understood since he's a toddler. It did seem to help with comprehension. I just can't get him to speak English 😅