Is being bilingual really worth the hard work?

[herdream1]

I am a foreign national who lives in UK with a DD age 8. My DH is English. So far I tried to support/push my DD's learning my native language and let her attend Saturday classes, which is basically for ex-pat children who are going back to my country, thus very high expectation and lots of home works. Also it is 1 hour drive one-way. My DD seems happy to go, but also curious about other clubs she can go to if we drop it.

Lately I am not sure if it is really worth continuing this Sat literacy class, or even trying to make her bilingual by talking to her in my native language.

I can not see being able to speak my native language will help her get a job in the future (except if she lives in my country, which I am not particularly keen).

For GCSE (and A-level??), she can study for the exam when she is older, if she chooses.

I am ok with her not speaking my language. But I will continue if she can expect return worth the efforts.

Can anyone assure me that it IS worth continuing the second language education when it takes so much hard work and there seems no practical use for it in the future?? Many thanks.

I'm bilingual. I really value the practical advantages, and I'm sure I wouldn't identify as strongly with that half of my heritage without it. I've shared ideas with people from the culture throughout my life (not so easy if they have to speak learnt English), and read books and articles in the language.

I also agree with pp who talk about people having a different character in their own language, and think it would be sad if you couldn't share your ideas and self fully with your daughter.

My DM is really different in her own language - much funnier and more playful - despite living in the UK since before I was born and speaking English pretty fluently. I really wanted to teach DD her language, because I felt she wouldn't really know her grandmother without it. How much more important when it will allow your daughter to know you!