When your child chooses English: Tips to encourage another language
- fablette
- Nov 14
- 2 min read
A calm, practical guide to keeping another language alive—without pressure or power struggles.
Kids are smart. They notice which language “gets things done” at school, on YouTube, and with friends—so that language often wins by default. We generally call this the "Majority Language". When you want to strengthen another language (or "minority language"), it can feel like an endless battle. The trick is not to fight that pull; but to make the other language feel warm and worth using.
Why kids default to a majority language
A majority language usually has more input and more incentives—teachers, peers, games—so children naturally reach for it. That doesn’t mean another language is out of reach; it means we need regular, responsive exposure at home. Pediatric and speech-language guidance is clear: learning more than one language does not cause delays or disorders, and families should feel confident using the languages they know best.
There isn’t one “right” family plan. The common ones include:
OPOL (One-Parent-One-Language)
Time-and-place routines (e.g., dinners or bedtimes spoken in the home language).
Many families also code-switch on purpose to clarify or teach a word—that’s common and can be helpful when done with intention
Whether these strategies work depend on many factors: including how consistent it is, the parents' strengths in the minority languages, opportunities to use the minority language, and many other environmental factors.
To-dos regardless of the method you choose
Create daily touchpoints. Even brief routines—like greetings, songs, or bedtime chats—build steady exposure.
Keep stories in rotation. Repetition strengthens memory and makes words feel familiar and safe.
Respond in the target language when possible. It models confidence and keeps the flow natural.
Celebrate small exchanges. A single phrase or question counts—joy reinforces effort.
Make it social. Find relatives, friends, or online groups who also use the language.
Use visuals and context. Label household items, cook with recipes in the language, or narrate daily tasks.
Show pride in your languages. Kids notice how you feel—when you value it, they will too. Celebrate the culture connected to the language, its literary and media legacy (e.g. pop music counts!), cultural icons, food and items.
Join our beta!
Because kids follow warmth and routine, we’re building tools that turn phones into shared listening and easy talk prompts—so switching to a target language feels simple, playful, and proud.
Join us on this journey and sign up for the beta in the link below!
