Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

Bilingual Parents and ‘Language Confusion’

May 09, 2006 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

One section of the April 19, 2006, Chat Wrap-up on foreign-languages education dealt with the “language confusion” myth, which holds that bilingual parents should not teach their children their heritage language. I’d like to share a couple of anecdotes related to that issue:

My son’s first language was Thai. After our family arrived in the United States, he joined a preschool group at the local community college. The dedicated staff counseled my wife and me that our son might have a language-learning deficit. I acknowledged the possibility, but suggested that we watch and wait.

The next year, the same teachers wondered how to keep him quiet. One of them later taught him when he was a high school student attending the college, and found him to be a top student and in command of the language.

My sister is fluent in Chinese. After she adopted her daughter, she asked me if I thought the girl had language confusion. I asked the child to pick a book from a pile on the floor and bring it to me, and then I read it to her. I waited a few minutes before suggesting to my sister that she initiate the same activity, but instruct my niece in Chinese. The 3-year-old picked up a book (written in Chinese), took it to my sister, and they read it.

Language confusion was a possibility occasionally, I told my sister, but her daughter clearly had the capacity to sort things out. And that ability would develop rapidly. In the meantime, I reminded her, consider the “brain stretch” that is going on.

My son and niece are fortunate to be bilingual. They were no doubt aided in overcoming any language confusion by being raised in rich language environments.

Michael MacLeod

Shoreline, Wash.

A version of this article appeared in the May 10, 2006 edition of Education Week as Bilingual Parents and ‘Language Confusion’

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar
Literacy Success: How Districts Are Closing Reading Gaps Fast
67% of 4th graders read below grade level. Learn how high-dosage virtual tutoring is closing the reading gap in schools across the country.
Content provided by Ignite Reading
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
AI and Educational Leadership: Driving Innovation and Equity
Discover how to leverage AI to transform teaching, leadership, and administration. Network with experts and learn practical strategies.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Investing in Success: Leading a Culture of Safety and Support
Content provided by Boys Town

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: October 2, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 18, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 28, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 21, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read