This post is also available in: English /
There’s no denying that the best time to learn a second language is at a young age when your speech and language are already developing. However, learning a second language can affect a child’s development in several ways.
Being bilingual can be hugely beneficial, but learning a second language is challenging.
In this guide, we’ll look at how speaking a second language can shape a child and affect their speech development.
Learning two language systems at once may strengthen a child’s executive function, including skills like decision-making and following directions. This means they can understand and manipulate language rules more fluidly and often show greater cognitive flexibility.
As a result, they may also find it easier to switch between tasks and adapt to new rules in other aspects of their life.
Early in their bilingual journey, children often alternate between languages mid-sentence. This is known as code-switching or code-mixing. It can look like confusion, but the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) describes it as a normal part of learning more than one language.
As they learn words in two languages, bilingual children are exposed to a much broader vocabulary. Over time, this can result in a richer vocabulary across both languages.
That said, early on, this can mean the child knows fewer words in each language than their monolingual peers. This is because their vocabulary is being spread between two languages.
Across both languages, their total vocabulary is usually similar to, or larger than, that of children learning one language.
The good news is that the gap usually closes with consistent exposure to both languages and in the end, they build a broader vocabulary.
Learning a second language can improve a child's phonological awareness. It improves their ability to recognise and manipulate sounds in words, a skill that supports reading and writing. This makes it easier for them to distinguish sounds and patterns across languages.
On the other hand, phonological interference may occur when learning two languages, as sounds from one language can affect pronunciation in the other. For example, a child might struggle with specific sounds that exist in one language but not the other. This can impact their speech clarity temporarily but will improve their phonological awareness over time.
Learning two languages does not cause speech or language delays. According to ASHA, most children say their first words by about age 1 and use two-word phrases by about age 2. These are the same milestones seen in children learning one language.
Bilingual children, especially in the early stages of language acquisition, may also go through silent periods.
This usually happens because they listen and process language rather than speak it. However, this is a natural phase as they adjust to new sounds and vocabulary. Although it may look like a speech delay, it typically resolves itself as their confidence in their speaking abilities grows. A silent period can last a few months, and for some children up to a year.
If your child isn't reaching milestones in any of their languages, speak with a speech and language therapist. Genuine speech and language difficulties show up in all of a child’s languages, and ASHA advises that using your home languages will not cause or worsen them.
Learning a second language early makes it easier for children to learn additional languages later. This is possible because their brains become accustomed to new language structures, which can improve their adaptability.
The tricky part is that inconsistent language exposure can make fluency difficult. As a result, they may only retain a passive understanding of a second language. This means that although they may understand the second language, they could feel uncomfortable speaking it. But for the most part, being bilingual opens the gates to being multilingual later in life.
Metalinguistics is the study of how language is used to understand, discuss, and analyse itself and bilingual children tend to develop stronger metalinguistic awareness. They can think about and analyse language more effectively.
This can strengthen their grammar and comprehension skills as they grow, helping them understand language structures intuitively.
The trouble is that initially, a bilingual child might mix grammatical structures from both languages. Again, this can look like a language delay. However, this is typically a natural stage in speech development as the child learns to separate language systems, rather than a delay.
Speaking two languages allows children to engage with different cultural contexts. This not only enhances social skills and cultural awareness, but can also improve communication skills as they learn to adapt language and behaviour to cultural cues.
Building on this, managing two languages can enhance a child’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. This is possible because bilingual children learn to think more flexibly, often leading to stronger problem-solving abilities.
Strengthening these skills can positively impact their language use and comprehension. However,
the process of juggling two language systems can lead to processing lags, where a child may need more time to find the right word in one language. This can worsen when they feel stressed or tired.
Bilingual families often deal with official documents in more than one language. For example, a child born in Mexico has a Mexican birth certificate in Spanish. If the family moves to an English-speaking country, they usually need a certified English translation of that certificate for official processes such as immigration.
Raising a bilingual child provides a wide array of cognitive, social, and academic advantages. However, parents should also consider practical needs, particularly documentation and educational resources. Many parents of bilingual children encounter translation needs early on, whether it's translating school transcripts, medical records, or other important documents to ensure seamless communication with educators and healthcare providers.
Translation costs vary significantly based on factors such as text complexity, the language pair, and the level of certification required. For example, translations needed for official purposes, such as school admissions or legal proceedings, often require certified or sworn translators, which can increase costs. While these expenses may add up, they play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps and ensuring that a child’s bilingual journey is supported effectively in both languages.
Moreover, because bilingual children often access resources in multiple languages, parents may also invest in translated educational materials, including books, learning aids, and multimedia resources. These resources reinforce language skills, build vocabulary in both languages, and support overall language development, but they come with their own costs. Understanding these potential expenses can help families plan ahead and allocate resources to maximise their child’s exposure to both languages without unnecessary financial strain.
Knowing translation costs can empower parents to make informed choices that support their child’s language development while fostering a balanced bilingual environment. After all, consistent access to language resources in both languages helps children navigate and excel in diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, enhancing their speech development and cognitive flexibility over time.
Learning a second language offers cognitive, social, and linguistic benefits.
Although it can present some unique challenges during the learning process, these are only temporary setbacks. If a child struggles with vocabulary or processing, these issues are typically short-term as they adapt to both language systems. Missing key milestones is not a normal part of bilingual development, so speak to a speech and language therapist if you are concerned.
With consistent exposure and support in both languages, bilingual children can become well-rounded communicators.
They can improve phonological awareness and cognitive flexibility, and expand their vocabulary. By strengthening these skills, they can also increase their ability to learn additional languages in the future.
Certified, sworn, notarised and legalised translations, accepted globally.