Balancing bilingualism (English/German) with learning difficulties? Cognitive expert Dalena van der Westhuizen answers Nicole’s query, highlighting the importance of mother tongue education for cognitive development while offering ways to nurture both languages.
The Question
“My husband is German and I’m a South African whose mother tongue is English. It’s important to both of us that our daughter learns and becomes fluent in both English and German. However, she’s experienced some learning issues and we’ve been advised to stick to English only when it comes to her studies. Do you agree and do you have any additional advice?” – Nicole, Bryanston
Dalena Answers: Prioritise the Strongest Language for Learning
Hi Nicole, navigating language choices when learning challenges are present requires careful consideration. While my expertise is cognitive development, not academics specifically, research offers clear guidance.
There’s significant evidence showing children learn best in the language they know best – their mother tongue education. The early and primary school years focus heavily on developing communication and language skills. When this foundational learning happens in the child’s most familiar language, development occurs much faster.
You haven’t mentioned your daughter’s age, but given the research supporting single-language instruction initially, especially when learning issues are present, I would recommend following the school’s advice to focus on English for her studies. This doesn’t mean abandoning German. You can absolutely continue to nurture her German skills at home through conversation, watching German movies, listening to German songs, and other informal activities. This creates a supportive bilingual environment without overloading her academic learning.
Extra Information: Supporting bilingual children with learning needs
The advice to focus on the dominant language for schooling aligns with global understanding. UNESCO emphasizes that mother tongue education is crucial for cognitive development and building a strong foundation for literacy. When children learn foundational concepts in a language they understand well, they build confidence and engage more effectively.
Concerns sometimes arise about whether bilingual learning difficulties are linked. Research generally indicates that bilingualism itself does not cause learning disabilities. However, a child with underlying learning challenges will likely show these difficulties in all languages they are learning. Focusing academic instruction in the language the child is strongest in providing the best support for mastering core subjects.
In South Africa education language policy is moving towards supporting mother tongue-based bilingual education, recognizing its benefits. However, implementation faces challenges. For your situation, providing strong academic support in English while enriching her German exposure at home offers a balanced approach. Resources like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provide excellent tips for fostering multilingualism through everyday activities like reading, music, and play.
Conclusion & Call to Action (CTA)
Nicole, balancing your desire for bilingualism with your daughter’s learning needs is possible. Prioritising mother tongue education (in this case, English for academics) provides a solid foundation, while actively using German at home enriches her linguistic skills and cultural connection.
Are you navigating homeschooling bilingual children with learning challenges? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below! Please share this post if you found it helpful.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more insights on learning and cognitive development!