Raising a bilingual child is an endeavor more parents should pursue. Instead of only focusing on your child’s social interaction and comprehension skills, consider teaching your child to learn new words and phrases in a secondary language too.
By the time your little one enters school, they will be ahead of other kids thanks to their additional language skills. If you need further convincing, consider the following four reasons why it is beneficial to raise a bilingual child:
Keep pace globally
Learning a second language is mandatory in some countries (e.g. Canada, France, and Italy). If you want your child to keep pace with others as they age, raising your child to be bilingual should be a high priority. With a large number of countries requiring a second language, do you want your child falling behind, as compared to others around the world?
Easier to learn while young
It is far easier for a child to learn a second language than it is for an adult. You can stack the odds of success in your child’s favor by immersing them in a second or third language when they are young. Whether you read to them in a foreign language while they’re in the womb, or use playtime as an opportunity to learn new words in a second language, you are doing them a huge favor by bettering their language skills in their formative years.
Makes immigrating to another country easier
If your child wants to immigrate to another country when they’re an adult, their chances of approval are higher if they are bilingual. Government agencies usually prefer immigrants with a secondary language who can quickly assimilate into their new culture. For parents who raise their child with a sense of wanderlust, learning at least one additional language is crucial.
Improves employment opportunities
Adults who speak a second language have better career opportunities than those who don’t. From job promotions to transfers abroad, employees with a second language are considered more valuable. If you want to set your child up for success, giving them the opportunity to pick up new languages when they’re young is a perk they’ll thank you for in later years.
Teaching your child a second language takes work and dedication. There may be times when they’ll balk and resist your efforts. If you keep focused on the long-term benefits of raising a bilingual child, you can push through the difficult times and know you’re helping your child become a more well-rounded individual.
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