By: Suzanne Mateus

Suzanne Mateus — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:52:26 +0000

Thanks Silvia. It has certainly been an adventure so far. We plan on going to Ecuador this coming summer and go to different French and Spanish speaking countries other subsequent summers.

Thanks for sharing your story….I love hearing how other people go about doing this.

By: Silvia Ribelles

Silvia Ribelles — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:05:48 +0000

Congratulations for the new baby! I have two sons and they are both bilingual. We live in the LA area. From my experience and from what I have read, the best way to raise a bilingual baby is making sure each parent sticks ALWAYS to one language. We learn a language without knowing we’re learning it (goes without saying) your young baby won’t be able to tell when you speak to him/her that you’re using two different languages so they will mix them up. But, if each parent speaks one they will know that mom speaks one, and dad speaks another one, and they won’t mix them up when they start talking. As simple as that. Makes sense, right? Enjoy bringing up your bilingual kid. And remember: expose them to your Spanish culture (I am from Spain). Make sure you take him/her back to Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia or whatever country of origin you are. If they don’t see a use for speaking Spanish, they won’t want to learn anymore by the time they hit 5/6. My sons realise that if they want to play with other children in Spain they need the language. They have NEVER asked me not to talk to them in Spanish. When I am around they always use Spanish, even to play with each other… I hope it helps.

Comments on: Your SpanglishBaby: Sabrina

By: Suzanne Mateus

By: Silvia Ribelles