Children’s brains have an amazing capacity for language learning. Children who grow up speaking two languages develop advantages that will stay with them for life. At our British school in Madrid we see this every day. Bilingual children think more flexibly and connect better with different cultures. If you are thinking about raising bilingual children, read on. We tell you what really works, without complications or impossible theories. Just real experiences and tips that you can put into practice at home.
When is the best time to start raising bilingual children?
The first years of life mark a golden age for language learning. During this period, children pick up language structures with astonishing ease. Starting from birth offers enormous advantages, as your child will learn both languages naturally and without conscious effort.
Research indicates that, up to the age of 7, children maintain an extraordinary ability to acquire native accents. However, you should never think that it is too late to start. What is really important is to ensure frequent and meaningful contact with the second language, ideally at least 25 hours a week. In this way, your child will be able to internalise sounds, grammar and vocabulary that will serve him or her throughout life.
Top 5 methods for raising bilingual children
Every family is unique, so there are different ways to get your children to be fluent in two languages. After years of experience, we’ve found that these five strategies work. They don’t all work the same for every family, but you’re sure to find the one that works best for your particular situation.
1.One parent, one language (OPOL)
This approach consists of each parent always communicating in their mother tongue with the child. For example, if you are Spanish and your partner is English, you will always speak Spanish while she will speak English.
This technique favours the acquisition of two languages in a natural way. The key lies in consistency and ensuring sufficient time of exposure to the minority language (usually English in Spain).
It works especially well in families where each parent has a different mother tongue and both parents have regular contact with their children. The child will learn to associate each language with a person, which greatly facilitates the mental organisation of both languages.
2. Minority Language at Home (ML@H)
With this approach, the whole family uses the minority language at home and the majority language outside. When both parents are proficient in the second language, this method shows excellent results in raising bilingual children.
The main advantages include a very clear framework for children (home = English, outside = Spanish) and increased exposure to the language that needs reinforcement.
Your child will learn to switch from one language to another depending on the context, a skill known as ‘code-switching’ that demonstrates great mental flexibility. This system also fosters a unique family identity linked to the language you use at home.
3. Enrolling your child in a British school
Enrolling your children in a British or international school is an excellent strategy for raising bilingual children. Spain, and Madrid in particular, has prestigious schools that follow the adapted British national curriculum, offering full immersion from infant school onwards.
The advantages of these centres include:
- Qualified native teachers.
- British methodology combined with elements of the Spanish system.
- Multicultural environment with an international focus.
- Preparation for globally recognised qualifications.
This academic investment guarantees a solid bilingualism that will open doors to Spanish and international universities, as well as fostering a global mindset from the early years.
4. Language classes, camps or au pairing
When the above methods are not feasible or you want to complement them, there are great alternatives for raising a bilingual child:
- Extracurricular language activities in specialised academies.
- Summer camps with total linguistic immersion.
- Hiring au pairs or native caregivers who speak exclusively to the child in their own language.
- Organising exchanges with foreign families.
Primary school is an ideal time to introduce these complementary activities, when children already have a linguistic basis and especially enjoy social interaction with their peers.
These resources give excellent results when they are maintained on an ongoing basis and accompanied by audiovisual material, readings and games in the target language.
5. Cultural exposure abroad (without forcing a move)
You don’t need to change your residence to raise a bilingual child. There are practical alternatives that work:
- Short, but frequent trips to countries where the desired language is spoken.
- Age-appropriate summer programmes abroad.
- Short language exchanges during the school year.
- Regular video calls with family or friends abroad.
This authentic exposure to the culture and language provides real context to what you learn at home or at school. Children see language as something living and useful, not just another subject.
Tips for sustaining bilingualism in the long term
Starting on the road to bilingualism is only the first step. To ensure that your child speaks two languages fluently, keep these recommendations in mind:
- Stay consistent: follow the language rules you set at home without exception.
- Make the language fun: games, music, films and literature will naturally increase motivation.
- Avoid excessive corrections: it is better to rephrase correctly what the child meant to say so as not to generate frustration.
- Recognise their achievements: celebrate every step forward to maintain enthusiasm.
- Connect them with the culture: traditions, cuisine and customs give meaning to language learning.
As we have seen, raising bilingual children requires patience and a positive attitude, but the benefits far outweigh the effort. At International School of Madrid we accompany families on this path that will open up countless academic and life opportunities for your children.
Referencias:
- Andrus, I. (2023, marzo 3). How To Raise A Bilingual Child? Common Concerns And The Top 4 Methods. Promova. https:// promova.com/blog/how-to-raise-a-bilingual-child
- EF Education. (s.f.). Cómo criar niños bilingües: 5 métodos. El Blog GO de EF. https:// ef.com.es/blog/language/como-criar-ninos-bilingues-5-metodos/
- Newman, M. A. (2022, octubre 31). Cuál es la mejor manera de criar a los niños en una familia multilingüe. BBC. https:// bbc.com/mundo/noticias-62107042
