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Multicultural families

Here's where to share your experience of raising a child or growing up in a multicultural family.

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Original poster

Spanish mum & British dad

4 replies

mariettama · 24/11/2009 22:44

Hi I have an English partner and an 8 month baby. We speak English at home but I speak only Spanish to my baby. I'm a bit concerned he'll end up answering me back in English when he starts talking. I have a few Spanish friends with British partners who are having this problem. Any advice or suggestion? Thanks!

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giveitago · 06/12/2009 21:05

Nah - think you are doing it exactly right.

My ds is 3.5 - ideally we'd speak english at home and dh italian with him when alone- this hasn't happened (agh!). He can understand some stuff. In desperation I started speaking to ds in Italian - not ideal as I'm not fluent - but in the last month my dh has started to talk more in Italian with Italian tv on in the background and I can see SOME improvement.

Think you're worrying. Also when ds was 3 didn't want to speak in Italian as he felt he was a performing seal.So watch for that from family etc.

Just chill with it - it will come.

I grew up in a multilingual house but my mum never spoke her language to me - my gran came to England when I was 7 and she couldn't speak English - I saw her at weekends only and within a year I was speaking loads.

Don't fret yet.Enjoy your little baby - how lovely.

cory · 07/12/2009 23:07

Don't worry too much if he does occasionally answer you in English, just keeping doing what you're doing. Read to him in Spanish, sing to him in Spanish, take him over there if you possibly can.

mafi · 03/01/2010 18:34

Hi Mariettama, my situation is very similar. I am Spanish, DH is English. DH and I speak English together, but I always spoke Spanish to my son. He's 6 now, and he mostly answers in English, but when we go to Spain or my parents are visiting he speaks Spanish fluently. He can do it, but he can't be bothered to speak it with me most times. I have learnt to "endure" this in the know that he can do it when he wants to.

You do know that the embassy will give them free Spanish language and culture lessons twice a week after age 7, right? Let me know if you need more information about this.

Original poster

mariettama · 18/01/2010 16:18

Hi Mafi,
Thanks for the info from the Embassy. I knew about it but we still have a few years to go before we can apply! Has your son taken any Spanish classes at all? I´m not sure if they can choose Spanish as a second language in every school.

I guess is reassuring to know that your son can speak fluently when he has no choice.. Kids are so clever!

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