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Original poster

Hubby asking me to speak english all the time

34 replies

ChineseMom · 28/12/2024 18:38

I'm chinese and my husband was born in China and moved to France at 14. We moved to the UK a few years ago and since then, my husband asked me to speak english at home even with our baby. He told me that he wants to train his english. What's your thought?

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 28/12/2024 18:42

Regardless if it would be good practice or not; it is unreasonable to expect you to speak one language all the time to benefit him. If he wants to benefit him, and improve his English; then he can speak it.

ShatDiamond · 28/12/2024 18:42

It's better for your son to learn Mandarin by hearing it at home.
Your husband is better off practising English with others who genuinely do not speak Chinese or French or listening and watching things in English than trying to learn through you.

HPandthelastwish · 28/12/2024 18:42

For multi lingual households it's normally one parent one language, someone in the house needs that language to be English so he isn't hindered when he starts school.

Are you fluent in English? Do you read books and sing songs in English or your mother tongue or do a bit of both? Which languages is your DH fluent in? What language does he speak to little one in?

NewMum3000 · 28/12/2024 18:42

In an understand it if he wants to improve his English. But with the baby I can understand why you would want to speak Mandarin etc (sorry I don’t know if that’s the right language) at home with baby. Maybe you reach a compromise?x

DreamyRedNewt · 28/12/2024 18:41

Unnatural if your mother tongue (both) is not english. He needs to practice his english just living his life in the UK (work collegues, other friends, watching tv, listening the radio...), not with you.

Zanatdy · 28/12/2024 18:41

you should presumably be raising your child to be bi-lingual. My ex didn’t speak a word of English until primary, and it hasn’t impacted him. You’d never know if you spoke on the phone that English wasn’t his first language. Maybe one speak English, one your native language

ACynicalDad · 28/12/2024 18:40

Speak in Chinese all the time, he will be slower to learn English but in the long term him speaking two languages will do much more for his brain development and future prospects.Even better if your husband speaks French and he picks up English at school/nursery.

twobluehorses · 28/12/2024 18:39

I think it would be good practice.

DorothyStorm · 28/12/2024 18:39

He wants you to teach him english?