Comments on: Creating a Bilingual Community

By: Kolby Grosshans

Kolby Grosshans — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 19:49:12 +0000

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By: My Baby’s First Bilingual Words | SpanglishBaby™

My Baby’s First Bilingual Words | SpanglishBaby™ — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:00:46 +0000

[...] of hearing her speak simple words in Spanish has since been overcome with the challenge to immerse her in environments where dialogue is conducted in Spanish — not just simple words or directives from Mom. I want her to engage in Spanish; to hear words [...]

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:13:51 +0000

When I mentioned the cleaning lady and construction worker, I was just listing some of the common stereotypes that we have to break from.

By: Vanessa, DeSuMama

Vanessa, DeSuMama — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:38:13 +0000

Hi Ana, thanks for the comment, one of which I completely agree with. However, my point was to hire help to engage us in an “academic, curriculum format”, such as a Spanish tutor. Although I mention a nanny (I was actually thinking of hiring my friend’s daughter who is a high school senior taking AP Spanish to, yes, babysit on the occasional Saturday night, armed with a lesson plan to teach some simple directives/sentence structure), I never once referred to hiring a cleaning lady or construction worker. I clean my own house, my gardener is white, and we DIY many home improvements. While I agree Latinos are grossly stereotyped (like many minority demographics), to do so is definitely not my intended position. Bilingualism is a skill worthy of earning an income, and when in a position where Spanish speaking family/friends are not accessible, I would happily pay a Latino (Spanish speaker) to help me teach my child that skill. I hope that clarifies my post a bit, and thank you again for taking the time to comment!

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:08:31 +0000

Most of your ideas I agree with, minus the one about “Hiring help”. “Hiring help” sounds as if you want someone to babysit your child- in Spanish. Hired help, cleaning ladies, and construction workers who are Hispanic are some of the stereotypes that hold the Hispanic community back. I think that you should break from these stereotypes and try to encourage something that will advance how people view Hispanics. It seems a contradiction to encourage bilingualism by encouraging negative stereotypes as well.

By: Vanessa, DeSuMama

Vanessa, DeSuMama — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:25:09 +0000

You are so sweet, Susan! I do get very annoyed with myself for letting us both lose so much of our language and culture, but the love and foundation is there. Thank you!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:53:44 +0000

Please do not be so hard on yourself. You sound like a great loving and caring mom! You are introducing your daughter to Spanish which is far more than the majority of the kids in this country get. You will be amazed at how powerful that foundation will be in helping your children become bilingual.

I found a bilingual community in a Spanish speaking mom’s group found on meet-up.com, a Spanish speaking church, and in the library that hosts a bilingual storytime. Keep looking! You’ll find your niche, or start your own moms’ group.

By: Vanessa, DeSuMama

Vanessa, DeSuMama — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:59:54 +0000

Reyna, that sounds SOO wonderful! I would totally enroll in your Spanish preschool if I was in your area!

By: Reyna

Reyna — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:44:31 +0000

We just moved to a different State and there are not Spanish speaking families around us. I decided to work with what I had and that meant going out of my comfort zone… I started a twice a month Spanish preschool class. I created some simple flyers and have invited many neighbors to my one hour class on fridays. I only reas a couple of books in Spanish, sing songs to learn the numbers, colors, body parts, etc, and do some simple games where they can use their new vocabulary.
I do this for many reasons but one is to show my children (4 and 2) that Spanish is SO cool that other children want to learn it. They feel SO important when the other children ask them how to say something in Spanish! Also, since we are the only bilingual (bi-racial and bi-cultural) family in the nighborhood, we want other families to know that we are “normal” and gain their respect and trust. This VERY SIMPLE and short Spanish preschool class has been maravillosa! My kids now play “school” and teach their dolls and dinosaurs Spanish words!

By: Xochitl Oseguera

Xochitl Oseguera — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:27:34 +0000

Hola Vanessa,
Lovely post! We have a bilingual community here!
Check out http://www.spanglishbabyplayground.com where you can find other families in your area who would love to play and speak español and many other languages!
See you there
Xochitl