Maintaining their mother tongue while living abroad is essential: Insights from a multilingual expat kid why this is important. For many expat families, the experience of moving to a new country can be exciting and challenging. One of the most significant challenges, especially for families with young children, is maintaining the mother tongue. Maintaining it while adapting to a new culture and language. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical strategies. Strategies for helping your children retain their first language. We do this based on the experiences of Elise. She is a multilingual expat living in the Dominican Republic while studying for a Dutch master’s degree online.
1. Maintaining their mother tongue: Keep your home a language zone
One of the most effective ways to ensure your child maintains their mother tongue is to speak it consistently at home. Elise emphasizes how speaking Dutch with her parents at home played a crucial role in preserving her language skills despite being surrounded by other languages.
Tip for parents:
Create a rule in your home where only the mother tongue is spoken. This helps your child maintain their linguistic foundation and strengthens their understanding of the language in daily, casual contexts.
2. Use the power of education while maintaining their mother tongue
For Elise, attending a Dutch school in Curacao was a game-changer in maintaining her language. Education in your native language is one of the best ways to build vocabulary and grammar skills. If you live in a non-Dutch-speaking country, look for schools that offer programs in your native language or teach your child’s language as a second language. There are many options online, like us at Dutch for Children.
Tip for parents:
If local schools do not offer education in your language, consider online courses, weekend classes, or tutoring sessions in your native language. There are also many resources available for children to read and learn in their mother tongue, including online libraries, podcasts, and educational platforms.
3. Incorporate reading and writing in your mother tongue
Reading and writing in your mother tongue not only help your child maintain vocabulary. It also improves their writing and comprehension skills. Elise mentions how she naturally enjoyed reading books in Dutch, which helped her sustain her language skills. Her parents also encouraged her brother to read in Dutch, ensuring that the language remained a part of his life.
Tip for parents:
Provide your child with books, magazines, or e-books in their native language. Encourage them to read regularly and even write short stories, keeping their connection to the language strong. If possible, make reading a family activity so that it becomes a shared experience.
4. Connect with friends who speak the same language, maintaining their mother tongue
Social connections can significantly impact your child’s language skills. Elise’s brother, for instance, played video games in Dutch with friends from Curacao. This helped him stay connected to the language. It’s essential to create opportunities for your child to interact with peers who speak the same language, whether online or in person.
Tip for parents:
Seek out social groups, sports teams, or online communities where your child can engage with other children who speak their mother tongue. Language exchanges and online games with friends back home are great ways to keep the language alive in a fun and natural setting.
5. Foster a positive attitude towards multilingualism
Elise’s multilingual upbringing has opened up numerous social and professional opportunities for her. While there may be moments of frustration, especially when a word is forgotten or mixed with another language, maintaining a positive attitude towards multilingualism is key. Speaking multiple languages is a valuable skill that should be celebrated.
Tip for parents:
Encourage your child to embrace their multilingual abilities, even if they mix languages or make mistakes. Create an environment where language learning is seen as an exciting and valuable experience. Explain to them that their ability to speak multiple languages is a gift that will open doors in the future.
6. Don’t overlook the importance of cultural connection; maintaining their mother tongue
Language is deeply tied to culture. Elise mentions that while she feels connected to her Dutch roots, she also embraces the Dominican culture and language. This has enriched her perspective. You foster a sense of pride in both identities by helping your child stay connected to your cultural heritage and the new culture they are experiencing.
Tip for parents:
Celebrate your culture at home through music, food, festivals, and traditions. This will help your child feel connected to their roots while adapting to the new culture. They’ll gain a broader worldview and an appreciation for languages and cultures in the process.
7. Be patient and consistent in maintaining their mother tongue
Maintaining a language while living abroad takes time and effort. Elise reflects on how, even with all her efforts, there were moments when she felt like she hadn’t spoken Dutch in a while. Especially when she was living in the Dominican Republic. The key is consistency—language skills need regular practice to remain sharp.
Tip for parents:
Be patient and stay committed. Even if your child sometimes doesn’t seem interested in their mother tongue, maintaining consistency is essential. Over time, they will appreciate the value of being multilingual as they grow older.
Elise’s story: Maintaining their mother tongue while living abroad
As an expat parent, it can be a challenge to maintain your child’s connection to their mother tongue while living abroad. However, with consistency, effort, and the right resources, it’s possible to help your child remain fluent in their first language. You can ensure that your child maintains their linguistic heritage and gains invaluable skills for their future. By creating a language-rich environment, connecting with other speakers, and fostering a positive attitude toward multilingualism,
Elise’s story is an inspiring example of how multilingualism and multiculturalism can shape a person’s identity and create opportunities. By following these tips and remaining dedicated to your child’s language development, you’ll set them up for success, no matter where life takes them.
At Dutch for Children, we’re passionate about helping expat families keep the Dutch language alive and thriving. No matter where they are in the world. Tune into our podcast to learn more about raising multilingual children and hear real stories and tips from fellow expats. Join us on this exciting journey of language and culture!
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