Mar
01
2009

You are experts, too!

8
Kris Hoet

Photo by Kris Hoet

In this, our third week in our Ask an Expert series, we’ve decided to do something new and different. But before I explain what it is and share our reader’s question with all of you, I want to tell you just a little bit about our newest expert. Her name is Liza Sánchez–I mentioned her blog in yesterday’s Yo Quiero Links entry. She obtained her MA in Education at the University of California Berkeley. She is the founder and Board Chair of Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI) in Oakland, California. EBI is the first independent school in California to offer a Spanish-English dual language program, extending from pre-K through 8th grade. Liza will be answering one of your questions next Monday, so please send anything related to bilingual education our way by going here.

Today, however, after reading all the incredibly useful and practical comments all of you have left here, Roxana and I realized that your are experts, too! So we’ve decided to let you dish out the advice. That’s right: You! We  love the fact that we have very opinionated and passionate readers who leave the most insightful comments. Reading them inspires us in so many ways. Now, let’s together help one of our readers who has agreed to receive honest and loving advice from us parents already on the journey to raising bilingual kids. Let’s share and learn from each other.

Will my husband confuse my baby?

This week’s question was sent by Mary Siddall, a Peruvian mom married to an American using the mL@H method to raise their son bilingual. They live in Denver, Colorado.

“I have a 10 month old baby. My native language is Spanish and my husband’s language is English. He knows some Spanish. I am having a hard time everytime my husband tries to speak Spanish to my baby. I think the baby will get confused if my husband does not speak it correctly. What do you suggest? Is it ok for my husband to speak to the baby in Spanish sometimes even though his Spanish has a lot of mistakes? Or, is it better for him only to speak to our son in English? I really don’t know. Thanks.”

You’re already raising a bilingual child or were raised as one…that makes you an expert. What advice can you give Mary? Let’s all chime in and make this experiment a success! Thanks to all and we look forward to reading your answers.

If you like what we’re talking about sign up for free SpanglishBaby updates via email or via RSS. You’ll like it.


Recent Posts