FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the Bilingual Zoo?
The Bilingual Zoo is a free online community for parents of bilingual and multilingual children. It officially opened its gates in July 2014 to complement the Bilingual Monkeys blog, which was founded by Adam Beck in the fall of 2012. The forum provides a free, friendly space for "keepers" of bilingual and multilingual kids to interact more directly and personally, thereby overcoming distance and isolation and empowering our mutual success on the bilingual journey.

2. How many members are there now?
As of March 2018, this community has over 800 members from all over the world.

3. Should I become a member?
There are many benefits to becoming a member of The Bilingual Zoo. For full details on membership, see the membership page.

4. Is membership really free?
Yes, this forum is free for all, both members and visitors alike. But while it's free, there are still regular costs involved in maintaining it. To help cover these costs, please consider buying a copy of Adam Beck's book Maximize Your Child's Bilingual Ability. Proceeds from the sales of this book (along with advertising and other voluntary financial support) go toward sustaining The Bilingual Zoo community for us all. (Plus, it's an empowering book and praised by parents worldwide!)

5. Would I have to wear a zookeeper’s uniform?
Uniforms are optional. Monkey outfits for your children are also optional.

6. How do I [an action you want to take on this site]?
This forum has been designed to be as user-friendly as possible. The best way to become familiar with the site is by exploring and experimenting. Don't worry--you won't break anything!

But if you get stuck, and you're not sure what to do, click on the "Help" button above. You'll find a lot of useful information there.

7. Why was my post edited?
Posts will be edited (or removed) if they contain any inappropriate content which violates the guidelines of this forum. Please be sure to read these guidelines carefully, as they govern participation in The Bilingual Zoo.

Also, because an important aim of this site is maintaining content that is as reader-friendly as possible, posts may be lightly edited for typos and minor errors, or for formatting reasons. Before submitting a post, please proofread your writing to make it as reader-friendly as possible.

8. How do I become a "Star Keeper"?
The Bilingual Zoo maintains a lighthearted "ranking system" for members, with ranks based on the level of your participation. When you post more often, your rank will rise. (Caution: Please don't post to this forum with poor-quality messages just to raise your post count, and your member rank. This is a violation of our community standards. It's also kind of silly. )

Here are the ranks...

New Keeper (1 star): 0~9 posts
Junior Keeper (2 stars): 10~99 posts
Senior Keeper (3 stars): 100~249 posts
Veteran Keeper (4 stars): 250~499 posts
Star Keeper (5 stars): 500+ posts

9. Does this site accept advertising or sponsorships?
Please contact Adam Beck to discuss this possibility, or other commercial inquiries.