We’ve all heard about the advantages of raising a bilingual child – improved cognitive abilities, better job prospects, and increased cultural awareness. But these are abstract concepts. To get a better idea of what specific benefits raising a bilingual kid will incur, let’s read a story of David, whose son is 9 years old and started learning a second language at 6 years old.
(Below is a story told by David in his own words)
As a monolingual (single language) household, I felt a pang of regret for not having been able to offer my son such a powerful head start in life. With English as our primary language, my partner and I were determined to gift our son a diversity of languages. Among all the languages we chose Mandarin as the second language for my son to learn, as we think learning Mandarin will be of help to his future. Little did we know that this linguistic journey would lead us to discover a treasure trove of benefits and heartwarming moments that forever reshaped our family’s story.
Of course, without any Mandarin Chinese language ability ourselves, we turned to a tutor to guide us. Initially, my son ventured into the world of tones, which brought about its fair share of laughter-filled moments. As he stumbled through tongue twisters, each mispronunciation was a step closer to success. After a short time, I was shocked that he was able to begin teaching us! He took joy imitating his teacher, his eyes shining with pride as he effortlessly named all the foods in our refrigerator (and then proceeded to quiz me with great hilarity).
Bilingualism served as a unique lens through which our family could embrace diverse cultures. As Chinese New Year approached, our home brimmed with excitement. Watching my son eagerly help prepare dumplings while sharing zodiac stories with their tutor over video calls was truly heartening. These experiences brought various cultures right into our living room. My son no longer sees things as strange or other, they want to learn from and take part in things they do not understand.
One memorable day stands out when he confidently introduced himself to a young Chinese-speaking friend at the park. As the two children chatted animatedly, my heart swelled with pride. Language, I realized, served as a bridge connecting these young souls, transcending ethnic backgrounds and creating a bond based on shared experiences and mutual respect.
After three years of learning Chinese, my son’s Chinese skills flourished, boosting his confidence. I can still see the radiant smile on his face as he delivered a bilingual presentation at school, effortlessly transitioning between English and Chinese. Again, it only cemented the feeling that I have done something truly right for my son and have given him a truly meaningful experience that has already begun shaping his life for the better.
Reflecting on our bilingual journey, excitement bubbles within me when I consider the future awaiting our child. Bilingualism opens doors to endless opportunities – forging international friendships, exploring diverse career paths, and engaging in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. The kids’ linguistic dexterity equips them with an invaluable skill set in our increasingly globalized society.
Our path of nurturing a bilingual child has been woven with laughter, exploration, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of language. As non-Asian parents, our commitment to bilingualism has enriched our family’s life immeasurably. Through shared stories, cultural celebrations, and the joy of multilingual communication, we have experienced firsthand the transformative power of language in nurturing empathy, understanding, and a world filled with limitless possibilities.
I hope you have had a better idea now as to how raising a bilingual kid can be beneficial after reading David’s story. If you have any questions about kids learning Chinese, or want to have your kid start learning Chinese, sign up for an online 1-to-1 free trial lesson and I will be glad to help.