We are a family from Argentina, our home language is Spanish. We have three children, ages 10, 8 and 5. We are spending 10 months in New Zealand and the kids are actually attending the normal school, together with native speakers. They have only 1,50 hours weekly of ESOL tutorial. At home we go on speaking in Spanish, because my husband and I don't speak a correct English and we don't want our children to learn in an incorrect way.
1- Do you have any similar experence?
2- What were the results? What skills could the children develop?
3- Do you think that it is good for their learning that we speak to them in English, meanwhile we are in New Zealand? or should we go on speaking in Spanish?
4- What do you recommend when we go back to Argentina, that we try to speak to them in English or not?
5- When we will be back to our country (Argentina), would it be good for them that they take English lessons with an argentinian English teacher? (it is almost impossible for us to find a native speaker teacher in the city where we live)
6- What other advise you would give us?
Victoria and Carlos, Argentina
Have you got had a similar experience to Victoria and Carlos? Can you offer them any advice?
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My native language is Swahili,our children learn English language at school,and the language of instruction in their school is English,so when they come back home we should try our level best to speak English in order to make them learn English language easily. Due to that I advice you to speak English and to use it at home in order to make your children learn English easily.
Hossein Mghewa, Tanzania
Dear Victoria and Carlos, I'm Italian and my husband is French. We live in France where our two kids were born. I've always spoken Italian with my children and my husband French. Our two boys attend the French school and only speak Italian with me or with their relatives when we go on holidays to Italy. Their level of Italian is very good, they are bilingual. As to you, I think you're right to keep on speaking Spanish, children learn foreign languages quicker than we (adults) can do and when you go back to Argentina you can choose a bilingual school for them (English & Spanish) there must be schools where both languages are taught. But what is important for your kids is to speak the same language they have already spoken with their parents. Good luck & I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Laura, France
I am living in the multiple country. I personally believe that we should speak english at home. As my two daughter were in chinese school, most of their time are speaking mandarin. So to build up their english we implement at home we must speak english from young. So they show a good result among their colleague. They even can read newspaper and listening to english conversation. As unlike others, they hardly speak english even in the school. They will face problem like shy to speak in public when they come up to work and they will loss interest in studying english language.
Teoarul, Malaysia
I´d like to talk with my kids in Engilsh. As Victoria and Carlos say, I believe my English is not perfect and they wouldn`t learn it so well. However, I guess we and they should try to practice more English in some specific activities like playing with them or reading some stories.
Daniel, Colombia
Speak English at home, but get your kids (and yourselves!!) involved with the natives. They will pick up the language more quickly than you and the distinct relationship you have with your child, your culture and your language will remain intact. The children literally (!) learn to associate language with people, a certain mind-set and cultural values. When you go back to Argentina, make sure you take videos (if they will play on your TV sets - check the system), books, CDs etc. Subscribe to a children's magazine. I say NO to lessons - they will get formal teaching soon enough in school. Hopefully this will not destroy all you've invested everything you have done in advance!
Debra, Germany
As a teacher,I firmly believe that unless and until you start speaking in the language that is to be learnt you will not be in a position to master it. We may have our inhibitions in speaking a language which is new to us but understand the fact that you are exposing yourelf to correction, as long as u don't develop the habit of speaking you cannot judge whether it is right or wrong. Also make sure that your children are exposed to a background where they listen, speak and read English, which will help them to learn it easily and quickly.
Qudsiya, India
