[anilorak13ska]

We are looking at adopting a child up to age 4 from the US foster care system. Obviously, most are monolingual English speakers. We intend to teach our children our native languages, which are Spanish and Polish.

My linguistic experience tells me to start using the languages asap. On the other hand, I'm concerned about adding yet another change to their already stressful transition into a new home and family.

I know that internationally adopting parents usually don't have a choice in the matter, and learning English becomes a must for the newly arrived child. But since we have a choice, I'm wondering what the best strategy may be.

Any suggestions?

[txwannabemom]

In my experience as a preschool teacher, children aquire language through immersion. If you goal is to have your child gain basic skills: counting to ten, hello & goodbye I think you could simply inset those phrases into your everyday usage. (Here we call that Tex-Mex and it is just the way people talk!)

I can't speak to if it would be overwhelming for your child, although my instincts tell me to give it 6 months:

If your goal is fluency, then I have seen wonderful results with one person whom the child speaks to every day; such as one parent or a nanny; speaking and responding to the child only in the language you are hoping to teach. I have seen children as young as three be tri-lingual using this approach. That however was in the context of children without any major life trauma or adjustments.

I hope this helps, and I think that being multilingual is an amazing gift for your child.

[Chrismp]

I wouldn't want to confuse the child further by speaking phrases in another language If he/she is old enough to speak already. I'd add it in gradually. With my current 21mo old foster, whom I hope to adopt, I will throw in Spanish words like, "Is that a dog, perro?" "Do you want water, agua?" and I sing songs in Spanish to her. She's obviously still learning English, so she doesn't know the difference, but an older child may be upset by not understanding what you are saying. So I'd say go slow. Start with simple words, then add phrases, then you could start speaking exclusively in the second language. The younger they learn, they easier it is, so don't wait years or anything to start, just ease into it.