Raising Children Bilingually

Essay # 98253

Education > Special
Language
Psychology > Child and Adolescent

This paper looks at the challenge of raising a child bilingually.

825 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2007 France

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses a reality that affects thousands of parents who face the problems of raising their child bilingually. The writer looks at how parents can assure that their child are able to speak their mother-tongue when living in a foreign county. This essay addresses the challenge that faces families from all ethnic groups and races; that of assuring bilingual efficiency. The writer maintains that the process of language learning, even for young children, can be extremely stressful, and the impact of both negative and positive attitudes from peers, family, and the surrounding society can be significant. The writer concludes that early exposure to the language has been proven beneficial, and can strengthen motivation and facilitate learning.

Outline:
Introduction
Looking At the Issues

From the Paper:

Why do parents wish to raise their children bilingually? Language is cultural identity, and, for most parents who are from different racial backgrounds, the desire to teach their children their mother-tongue is based on the recognition that in achieving this, they are not only bringing the child's two cultures together, but also enabling a sense of both duality and international awareness that is unattainable in a monolingual world. It introduces the child to different cultural expectations, worldviews, and concepts. Therefore, for parents who are committed to this initiative, raising children bilingually is not only both challenging and rewarding, but is also a task that is practical and accessible. However, there are many people who feel that raising children bilingually can cause social, cultural, and personal development problems within the child (Maria Estela Brisk, et al, 2004).

Sample of Sources Used:

Landers, C. News and Views: From the Worlds of Translation. ATA Source, Summer 1996, page 5.
Contributors: Maria Estela Brisk, Angela Burgos, Sara Hamerla. Situational Context of Education: A Window into the World of Bilingual Learners. Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Publication Year: 2004. Page Number: 116
Article Title: Language Politics in the U.S.A.: The Paradox of Bilingual Education. Contributors: James Crawford - author. Journal Title: Social Justice. Volume: 25. Issue: 3. Publication Year: 1998. Page Number: 50+. COPYRIGHT 1998 Crime and Social Justice Associates; COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group