Comments on: OPOL Week: Why this is the Way to Go if You’re Raising a Bilingual Child

By: SpanglishBaby-OPOL Week: Ask an Expert: How do I Prevent My Son from Feeling Self-Conscious?

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:07:41 +0000

[...] happy to present you with our popular Ask an Expert Q&A. If you read yesterday’s post, you know we already had one knowledgeable expert on the subject of OPOL share her helpful tips and [...]

By: Lisa Renata

Lisa Renata — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:02:20 +0000

I think this book will help me with some of the fears I have about raising my little ones bilingual through the OPOL method.

She’s very right about not giving up! I am not! I know that at one point both Ri and A will talk to me completely in Spanish (I know it!) Patience.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:39:12 +0000

You are going to confuse him. He’ll never learn English. He will mix up the languages. These are just some of the many comments I hear when people learn that my husband and I are raising our son using the OPOL method. I speak to our son Luke in Spanish and my husband speaks to him in German. I know that we are doing the right thing; it is obvious in how well my son speaks both languages. I also know that living in the United States, my son will undoubtedly learn English. The book 7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child, would give me answers for relatives and friends who express concern because we are raising a multilingual child. Since Luke is only 19 months and there is another baby on the way, this book would also provide the guidance our family needs in successfully teaching our children multiple languages throughout their development.

As a Spanish teacher, I would use the book to improve my own instruction, and would also share it with parents who are afraid that they are holding their child back by speaking to their children in their native language. This book will be a valuable asset to have in both my personal and professional life, as I seek to promote the benefits of bilingualism both at home and at my school.

By: Kalen

Kalen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:18:48 +0000

I would like to read more research and tips about how to raise bilingual kids using the OPOL method.

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:57:09 +0000

I am fascinated by this topic, not only because I have an 18-month-old son whom I am raising bilingual, but because I learned Spanish and Italian after high school. I am part of the Hispanic community by marriage and find that I have the added challenge of maintaining my own fluency as I speak to my son about everyday activities. We use the ML@H method in our house, but I am interested in learning as much as I can about others' experiences and experts' advice so that I can continue to make the best choice for my son and any future siblings. I would love to add this book to my library to get some fresh perspectives on a topic about which most of my friends and family are no help! .-= Chelsea´s last blog ..America’s Exceptional Independence =-.

By: Isabelle Jones

Isabelle Jones — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:19:54 +0000

Hi there As a bilingual Mum trying to raise both my sons bilingually, I would love to read this book to give me more practical strategies to stick to the OPOL method. It may also help dispelling myths shared in my monolingual surroundings... Isabelle .-= Isabelle Jones´s last blog ..Skype Interview : Social Bookmarking =-.

By: Ines

Ines — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:13:38 +0000

OPAL seems to be the optimal method for multilingual families such as ours. Navigating a bilingual approach is hard enough; add more than two languages to the mix and the task can become overwhelming. I would love to know what the author recommends with respect to the language the parents should communicate in a multilingual household. Should the parents stick to their respectivel languages when talking to each other? Should just choose one of the three? Also, I would love to know what the author thinks about code switching during early language development (am I sounding like a broken record on this blog?). If I read between the lines of your interview, it sounds like she discourges it and rather suggests the opposite – that you stick to one language at all times with your kids. This is what my gut says is what works best. I look forward to reading the book.

By: Silvia

Silvia — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:05:49 +0000

I would LOVE! to have this book, because I would like to know directly from a specialist, mother and multilingual person herself, what is the best way to have success raising my children bilingual. I think she has a lot of knowledge and tips that will put me in the right path. And I would like to know more about multilingualism, because in some near future I would like to introduce a third language for all our family to learn together. Thanks for the opportunity .-= Silvia´s last blog ..Jarabe de Maíz de Alta Fructosa / High fructose Corn Syrup =-.

By: Valerie R

Valerie R — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:54:25 +0000

On a daily basis, as a parent, I am wondering, “Does this advice make sense to me? Will it work for me and my family?”–as Dr. Steiner points out. I believe her book would help our family learn and grow together

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:23:31 +0000

I really enjoyed reading Dr. Steiner's interview and I was inspired by it. Our family would really benefit from this book because it would provide a guide as we start out on this OPOL path. .-= Peggy´s last blog ..Itsy Bitsy Yoga =-.