As a teenager, my family joked that a dark-haired Italian man would whisk me off to Europe. Turns out they understood my type, except my husband of ten years is French. From the beginning, we made it a priority to be a bilingual, bi-cultural family. I moved to Bordeaux, France within three days of our wedding and lived out my fairy tale there for five years, including the births of our oldest two children.
Nevertheless, within six weeks of our move back to my native Kansas, our 3 year-old wouldn’t speak French unless prompted.
It took me years to be fluent, and I want that for my children. Don’t think, “Oh, both their parents speak French; the kids will pick it up.” With English all around us, we need to speak French exclusively at home…and we don’t. I really respect families who continue to speak their heart language to their children. I love to hear a mama speaking Spanish or Vietnamese at the store. I want to encourage her! If I had a super power, I’d want it to be languages.
Yet I know the hard work is worth it. Studies show that learning a second language from a young age is phenomenal for brain development. Young tongues also master new sounds best; I’ve coughed up enough French R’s to know it ain’t easy. I think language opens young hearts to global community too.
Here’s ideas for encouraging language skills, whether your family is bilingual or not. Wichita has fantastic opportunities!
Media
You can find some foreign films online—beware of DVDs not zoned for watching in the USA but Blu-Rays are un-zoned. There are lots of children’s cartoons on YouTube in various languages. In addition, your own DVD collection has many dubbed languages. Since they can quote their favorite films, my kids watch in French and often translate out loud. Also, audio books and CDs are fantastic, especially if there is a book to follow along.
Bilingual Community
- French: Wichita Area Sister Cities France Commitee hosts events to celebrate and strengthen our connection with Orléans, France. Did you know they have a small Keeper of the Plains there? While we haven’t personally gotten acquainted with many Kansas French families, it is one of my goals.
- Spanish: Zinta Inspired Language offers classes and camps for various ages. The Wichita Public Library offers a bilingual storytimes. Ask for their current times and locations as it varies. Exploration Place has a Wednesday Spanish program from 10:15-10:35 for children ages 1-4.
- Asian Languages: There’s a wonderful cultural experience to be had at the Wichita Asian Festival, October 27, 2018 from 5-9:30 pm at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center. The festival is a fantasy of colors and flavors! Admission is free, just bring money for goodies and merchandise.
School
I gather French books connected to our homeschool curriculum, from science to history. Based off of your child’s homework, you can “reread” a topic in your language. We’ve read several versions of Robin Hood now (thank you, Amazon.fr). Within your own circle of friends, others may be interested in learning a language in an after-school group. We are part of the Newton Homeschool Fellowship and watching their friends learn French (in a class I taught) was a big encouragement!
Trips
I know this one isn’t easy or cheap. However, the impact of taking our children back to France last summer has been undeniable. At ages 5 and 7, they were immersed for three weeks, actually experiencing for themselves how a useful skill a second language is…and what a wonderful world it opens up to them.
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