Additional information
Can children learn a 3rd or 4th language?
Children can learn more than two languages. Research shows that children need to hear a new language at least 30% of their day to be able to use it. A child may understand a language but not speak it if they are not exposed to it often enough. It may take the child many years to learn the 3rd or 4th language.
I use my first language with my child but he answers in English.
What should I do?
Keep speaking your first language, even if the child answers in English. Just hearing the language helps your child learn his first language. Watch movies, read books or play games in your first language. Plan special activities with family members in your first language. Look for children’s programs in the community in your first language. Make it fun!
Strategies that help children learn language:
- using gestures and actions
- using simple, everyday words
- making important words stand out
- using simple, short sentences
- slowing down while speaking
- repeating, repeating, repeating
- talking about the here-and-now
- setting up times for your child to play with other children
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