Question Hello! What age is appropriate to introduce the concept of language to a child? I don't mean teaching the child a second language but teaching him that there are different languages and that each one has a name. We use OPOL at home with our 3-year-old...
language
Why language skills matter – to me, you and our children, and the world
“Why have you chosen to write about bilingual children and languages, surely there are more important things in the world – why don’t you write about how important science is?” – this is a question I once got in a comment. The simple answer is – I believe I know quite...
Raising Global Citizens: L is for Language
When someone asks me who I would like to share a meal with if I could choose anyone (dead or alive), I say: Mahatma Gandhi. Not only would I meet my all-time hero and be able to soak in his grace, wisdom and vision, but I am sure we would also be served a lovely...
Notes and pictures from Malta and the International Conference on Bilingualism
Merħba! (‘welcome’ in Maltese) I am currently in Malta an enjoying myself immensely on so many levels – it is my first trip to this gorgeous island with its jovial, friendly people (and slightly nutty drivers), and I am also attending the International Conference on...
Bilinguals and accents
Should you be able to speak a language without an accent to call yourself bilingual? Can you acquire a native-like accent in a language you learn later in life? Do others guess where your accent is from? Does it really matter? Do you care? I have recently discussed...
Bilingual is better: the advantages of speaking more than one language
I have been reading many articles on the benefits of bilingualism lately and I decided to gather some of the best ones into one post and share them with you. This is one of my favourite topics, so I have already written about it on different occasions: how languages...