How old does a child have to be to remember 1st language?
Jun 23, 2016 23:45:22 GMT 9
Post by Adela on Jun 23, 2016 23:45:22 GMT 9
Hi!
So I am British and have been living in Brazil for the last 6 years. My husband is Brazilian but he speaks English. We have 3 kids - 9, 6 and 3.
My kids speak very good English, they can read and write (well, the older 2) but of course, their Portuguese is more fluent.
Anyway, we are moving back to the UK next month.
Of course, I understand now that we will have to switch over tactics. At home we will now have to speak in Portuguese and make the effort to read in Portuguese and put TV on in Portuguese for them to remain bilingual.
But if I am honest, the one who made most of the effort to do all of this at home was me. As I am British, I was the one who cared more about them speaking English and made the demands of our children. Obviously, he thinks them being bilingual is amazing and speaks to them in English but I was the one who pushed and pushed - especially since they've started school and their fluency in Portuguese overcame their English.
So, now that we are moving back things will switch. I can speak fluent Portuguese and will make the effort to do everything reversed.
However, when we get back it will be 6 weeks before they start school so I am going to have to make them speak English for those 6 weeks to get them ready.
But I guess my questions are about their Portuguese. Do you think it is possible that they will forget it? I mean, even if they speak completely fluently? Do I have to keep up the effort to speak to them in Portuguese every day? Can a 9 year old completely forget their native language? I mean, I know it is different for my 3 year old and we have hardly spoken to her in English over the last few months as I know she will learn the English when we move back and I wanted to "up" her Portuguese fluency as much as possible.
Anyone done this kind of reversal before? Any tips or ideas? (Obviously, we will be back to visit Brazil as my husband's family all live here.)
Thanks,
Adela
So I am British and have been living in Brazil for the last 6 years. My husband is Brazilian but he speaks English. We have 3 kids - 9, 6 and 3.
My kids speak very good English, they can read and write (well, the older 2) but of course, their Portuguese is more fluent.
Anyway, we are moving back to the UK next month.
Of course, I understand now that we will have to switch over tactics. At home we will now have to speak in Portuguese and make the effort to read in Portuguese and put TV on in Portuguese for them to remain bilingual.
But if I am honest, the one who made most of the effort to do all of this at home was me. As I am British, I was the one who cared more about them speaking English and made the demands of our children. Obviously, he thinks them being bilingual is amazing and speaks to them in English but I was the one who pushed and pushed - especially since they've started school and their fluency in Portuguese overcame their English.
So, now that we are moving back things will switch. I can speak fluent Portuguese and will make the effort to do everything reversed.
However, when we get back it will be 6 weeks before they start school so I am going to have to make them speak English for those 6 weeks to get them ready.
But I guess my questions are about their Portuguese. Do you think it is possible that they will forget it? I mean, even if they speak completely fluently? Do I have to keep up the effort to speak to them in Portuguese every day? Can a 9 year old completely forget their native language? I mean, I know it is different for my 3 year old and we have hardly spoken to her in English over the last few months as I know she will learn the English when we move back and I wanted to "up" her Portuguese fluency as much as possible.
Anyone done this kind of reversal before? Any tips or ideas? (Obviously, we will be back to visit Brazil as my husband's family all live here.)
Thanks,
Adela