Language At Home

**panhunger** · 24th May 2007 10:09

AO talked about English only at home when raising children in Thailand. He said it worked well and his children are now speaking Thai like natives after being exposed to it in school. I have personal friends who have children here and some of their children do very well with dual language at home and some do not.

Marriage is looming for me, not like a dark cloud, but it is on the horizon. My gf speaks very good English and is open to the idea but not sold on English only in the home.

What say you?

**defender** · 24th May 2007 10:12

It's a great idea in theory. My Mrs speaks largely English at home, but not perfect English (although she's improving all the time).

The concern I have is that my little one will pick up bad habits from the Mrs in English. Heaven forbid I should try and speak Thai

I'm probably worrying about nothing, she'll probably get the hang of it.

**LDMA** · 24th May 2007 10:13

My wife speaks both English and Thai at home, but I only speak English, and has the net result of Malina speaking 90% English at home...at her babysitters she speaks mostly Thai.

**aging one** · 24th May 2007 10:45

Now that my kids are in 5th grade in Thai school their is more conversation in Thai. But not when we are together as a family, unless the need arises. To their grandma, only Thai, but to the maid and mom its Thai, unless I am around.

It has worked out well this way, the only problem they have is spelling in English. They got dictionaries for Christmas + a CD rom, so they are getting better day by day.

**panhunger** · 26th May 2007 10:47

Thanks for the responses...I have two concerns: One, the kid doesn't get a good grounding in one language and becomes just OK at both. I have a leuk krung who lives with his English speaking father and his Isaan speaking mother and his accent and usage in English suffers and he's almost 17! He understands almost 100 percent. He can respond quickly and speaks somewhat native like but in the end I would feel like I've failed if he was my child.

I've witnessed other children of mixed parents here who are unbelievable at switching back and forth with excellent accents and they are primary school age. I was amazed. Is this a function of the parents or just having exceptional children?

My other concern is having a situation where the whole family speaks one language except for the slow Thai language speaking Dad, me! That would be frustrating and intolerable.

**zehner** · 26th May 2007 10:52

kids are very quick to acquire language so i don't think it would be a huge concern. maybe you should take some thai courses to improve your thai if you are worried about the negative impacts it may have on your future seed pannie?

my gf speaks english pretty well. the main issue for her is the pronunciation and grammar..she has to write everything down and study it before she can move onto another area which takes quite a while. i have thought about introducing an english-only "rule" at home but i think it would be too much for her right now. maybe in about 6 months

**peelieorion** · 26th May 2007 11:36

Originally Posted by panhunger

Thanks for the responses...I have two concerns: One, the kid doesn't get a good grounding in one language and becomes just OK at both. I have a leuk krung who lives with his English speaking father and his Isaan speaking mother and his accent and usage in English suffers and he's almost 17! He understands almost 100 percent. He can respond quickly and speaks somewhat native like but in the end I would feel like I've failed if he was my child.

I've witnessed other children of mixed parents here who are unbelievable at switching back and forth with excellent accents and they are primary school age. I was amazed. Is this a function of the parents or just having exceptional children?

My other concern is having a situation where the whole family speaks one language except for the slow Thai language speaking Dad, me! That would be frustrating and intolerable.

Pan, i have a load of english books i've written that could help you readwith yur child. this will help her with her reading and pronounciation. also have simple dictionaries some only english, some Thai. i'd say the younger you start the better but kids will learn at their own speed and will usually be good if they are given the stimulation and opportunity to speak and read. good schools make opportunities forkids to learnand interact. the same goes for parents. Pm me if you're interested and give an address.

**poolcleaner** · 26th May 2007 12:13

Originally Posted by panhunger

AO talked about English only at home when raising children in Thailand. He said it worked well and his children are now speaking Thai like natives after being exposed to it in school. I have personal friends who have children here and some of their children do very well with dual language at home and some do not.

Marriage is looming for me, not like a dark cloud, but it is on the horizon. My gf speaks very good English and is open to the idea but not sold on English only in the home.

What say you?

How old are your kids Panny?

**panhunger** · 26th May 2007 21:10

Here are some links that discuss brand new evidence that kids are way ahead of the language game. I may be concerned over nothing. No kids as yet, pc.

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1933819.htm

http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_te...cle2581232.ece

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/hea...out604887.html

http://news.google.co.th/nwshp?ie=UT...ncl=1116655916

**daneel** · 26th May 2007 21:28

My wife and I have a different opinion this, we have chosen to speak one language at home because of our experience with being brought up multi lingual and the effects it can have in school and the neighborhood.

Right now though my son is slowly introduced to English, at age six he will be introduced to German and at age 10 it will be French.

**kingwilly** · 26th May 2007 21:29

i looked at it already as well.

basically the experts suggest that each parent speaks one language only with the child.

dont mix it!

then they will become relatively bilingual

**aging one** · 28th May 2007 11:30

The main thing in my opinion is which first language you choose. You must use this language until it is totally aquired naturally. Then you may begin the second language.

In America nobody can tell either by looking or by their speech that they are not 100% Caucasion and a native speaker. Here they dont look Thai, but are accepted as they are completely fluent in speaking, reading and writing. They can adapt to both cultures as well.

Equally happy with dad in Yosemite eating Pizza, or in a temple in Pakchong Nakorn Rachasima eating, Kamom Cheen Nam ya. Maybe its luck, but I am quite proud of the way they have turned out.

**tosser** · 29th May 2007 07:44

Originally Posted by kingwilly

basically the experts suggest that each parent speaks one language only with the child.

dont mix it!

This is the best advice as mum's imperfections will be repeated -Thai mum speaking English - and vice versa. I'm in China at the moment with our 4 year's old daughter who's just started at a Chinese kindergarden. No English or Thai there and she's picking up Mandarin already. She grizzled, predictably, at first but she has settled in now and she's hearing perfect Mandarin all the time. Tri-lingual at 6 is our aim and we'll review the situation then.

**Aquaman** · 29th May 2007 07:50

Its tough here cause my wife speaks english but it isnt fantastic. i speak english with my daughter and i speak thai with her as well. she understands things in both languages but is way more accustomed to the thai. she also fires away the local dialect. in a few weeks we will be in the usa speaking a lot of english, i really want her to continue speaking thai with her mom so she doesnt forget it when we come back here on trips and if she wants to move back here. all of her many cousins speak the local dialect and she hangs out with them all the time. its hard to control the enviornment sometimes.

**panhunger** · 29th May 2007 08:24

Originally Posted by Aquaman

its hard to control the enviornment sometimes.

...true enough...my goal is to have a one language household...but are there negative effects to having the mom, when daddy is not present, speak her native tongue and then switch to the one language when the entire family is present?

...and AO, how did you get your wife's family to go along with English only, as you mentioned before...