DON’T WORRY, HELP IS HERE!
Is the mother‘s role more important than the father‘s?
No. Both parents play an equally important role. If the mother and father spend time with the children (reading stories, playing games, talking to the children), they will learn from both parents equally. Your child can also learn from other family members.
What if only one partner can speak Irish?
Very often, this is the case! Don’t worry, once you have decided to raise your child using two languages, work out a plan: then the parent who uses Irish, can speak to their child as often as possible in Irish, so that both languages are familiar.
But will one of us be left out?
No. If you plan this together, speaking another language will be fun for the whole family as you all learn new words and watch as your child begins to translate meaning from one language to another. This is an opportunity for you and your partner to encourage both your child and each other, as you give your child a head start in life!
It might feel a bit uncomfortable using Irish with my children?
The less familiar you are with Irish, the more uncomfortable it is likely to feel. Keep trying and after a short time that feeling will decrease. But do what feels natural to you and your family in terms of when and how you want to use Irish. And don’t worry about grammar or mistakes in either language. Language is just about communicating, letting your feelings and thoughts be known.
Will my children mix up the two languages?
Yes, at first your child may mix up words but don’t worry…this is perfectly normal. In fact, it is highly
beneficial for a child to hear two languages. Research shows that during and after the first stages of learning your child will be able to separate the two languages and speak to you in the language you address them in! Children are free and easy with language, so they will not mind mixing the two together.
Will my children pick up my mistakes?
Maybe, but the chances are your child won’t correct you! You may be able to learn Irish well enough to stay ahead of your infant or very young children. You do not have to have a grasp of adult words and grammar to talk with a young child.
If I don‘t follow strict rules, my child will never manage to learn two languages!
Some people say that "the only way" to raise children with two languages is to follow a very strict pattern, usually by speaking both languages in the home. However, practical experience has shown that children learn both languages no matter what, as long as they are given plenty of support and encouragement. Having a plan that involves all the family, including extended family and friends, will be useful. Help your child to see that being bilingual, having two languages, is perfectly normal.
What about my other kids?
The earlier you start, the better! This is true when is comes to growing up learning English and Irish at the same time, or indeed when learning a second language, but remember children can learn valuable language skills at any age. If you wish to introduce Irish, remember to include all your children in activities and games and make the learning fun!
How can I help my child learn Irish?
Television programmes (TG4), start a playgroup with other children, the Internet, CD ROMs, books, the local library, songs, other adults who speak Irish—all can be sources for you and your child. Don’t fret if you think you don’t know the language well enough.
What should we talk about?
Be creative! Ask questions as you read them a story or when you are playing with them. Encourage them to tell you about their favourite toys/books/videos/television programmes.
What about very young babies?
Talk to them. Tell them what you are doing, point out colours, toys, use Irish songs and rhymes and this will help them to recognise the sounds and make the language familiar.
I still don’t feel confident enough to use Irish with my child?
You don’t have to be fluent in Irish to teach your child! Why not enrol in an Irish language class. Dig out your old school books! Do not get discouraged just because you find yourself fumbling for expressions and vocabulary. Phone a friend: ask a friend, neighbour or family member who speaks Irish to help you.
But they will be learning Irish in school anyway?
Yes, that is true, but remember you can give your child a head start in the very important first few years of life, so that when they go to school they will be more confident in their ability to learn and it will help them to face the challenge of ‘big-school’. You will also have laid the foundations for all learning, not just language-learning.
How will my child cope with learning two languages?
Research has shown that having two languages increases your child’s ability for problem solving as they have developed more ‘pathways’ in the brain for information and vocabulary. In fact,
recent studies have also shown that children receiving bilingual education often tend to do better - right across the curriculum!
The more they know the more they can learn. Giving your child a chance to learn two languages can help develop their minds, give them better problem solving abilities and help self confidence as well as creating an emotional bond for you and your family! Learning and using two languages will help to develop your child’s lateral thinking.
