General

Raising Mulitilingual Kids

As parents and caregivers, we want to prepare our children for successful adulthood and equip them with the tools that will put them in the best position to succeed in life. Whatever that definition of success looks like for your family, a great way to provide children cognitive, social, occupational, and missiological advantages is to teach them a second, or even third, language while they still at home.

There are two common strategies that parents can use to encourage multi-language learning:

• One Parent, One Language (OPOL)[1]. This applies to families where both parents or caregivers speak different native languages. For example, if mom is American and dad is Honduran, they could agree to have the children speak to mom only in English, and to speak to dad only in Spanish.
• Minority Language at Home (MLAH)[2]: the family speaks the minority language at home, but continues to use the majority language outside the home.

  Regardless of the main strategy, it is beneficial to create environments rich in each language you want to teach by including books, music, television programs, and groups of friends who enjoy traditional meals and have conversations in each language.

  Studying the Scriptures can also be a great way to introduce an additional language to children. This multilingual approach has many advantages for children and adults, not only linguistically, but also spiritually, cognitively, and culturally.

  Spiritual Advantages
  When families study Scripture together in its original language, they often gain greater understanding and depth. The original words in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek have nuances that are sometimes lost in translation. For example, in biblical Greek there are several words for “love” (agape, eros, philia, storge), while in English or Spanish we use only one (amor, love). Taking time to explore this linguistic difference can help children understand the depth of God’s love for them.

  Exploring biblical passages in original languages also awakens a sense of reverence. Knowing that you're reading ancient words, in or near their original language, can make children see the Bible as something more special and alive. It connects faith to the real, concrete history of the family.

  Cognitive and Academic Advantages
  When families dissect biblical texts in their original language, it trains and develops memory, critical thinking, and strengthens the child’s ability to compare ideas and structures (Comparing a verse in two languages makes them think more deeply about the message and its meaning). This practice also improves vocabulary and grammar by teaching structures curated by some of the best translators and linguists in history, the editors of the Bible in each language.

  Cultural Advantages:
  The experience of seeing a foreign culture and comparing it with one’s own is enriching. Families can take time to dive deep into ancient cultures of biblical times and gain a more enhanced understanding of customs and traditions, giving children a sound base of comparison for ancient times with our present times.

  For parents who want to start introducing a second (or third) language into their home but don’t know how or where to start, below are some quick and easy tips to begin introducing another language to children:
  
  

• Start early (but it's never too late!) – Children begin learning to make sounds based on what they hear early on in childhood. Growing up with phonetic awareness needed for each language they will learn to speak is important as early as possible.
• Be consistent with language exposure – Even if it is only a few minutes a day, make exposure to the new language part of your family’s routine. Consistency is key to learning a new way of speaking and communicating.
• Make it fun, engaging or useful - Look for opportunities for real interaction such as visiting a church that speaks the other language or arranging play dates with other bilingual children. Consider visiting places where the second language is spoken or even consider enrolling your child in a bilingual school or language immersion program.
• Be patient and encourage them all the time. Learning another language is a lifetime journey. Celebrate progress over perfection and allow each child to learn at his/her own pace.
• Set an example. Model excitement for learning and speaking a new language. Use it as much as you can around your children and engage in the learning with them. This is a great way to make memories as a family.

[1]   LingoCircle, accessed May 21, 2025, “One Parent, One Language”: How It Works.

[2]   BeeBilingual, accessed May 21, 2025, What is the Minority Language at Home.