Only speaking 1 language at home? Gd idea?

[Vikkijayne2507]

I'm a bit worried about the language development of my son(he's only 11 months ) we live in Portugal so he'll grow up here so first language will be Portuguese. We only speak English at home and I'm still learning Portuguese. He already understands a few English words and I intend on only speaking English as I think this will help. What do you think? Anyone had this experience ?

I think it is important that he has a rich vocabulary in his home language so that, as he gets older, you are able to discuss more complex concepts and ideas.

However, if he is living in Portugal, he also needs to be able to communicate in Portuguese.

We are Germans living in the UK and only speak German at home. DD, now 7.5 years, had virtually no English books or English TV until she was in pre-school.

Saying that we ensured she had enough outside experience. I joined various toddler groups, attended classes like music and she went to nursery 4 day when she was 11 months.

English is her first language and while she understands German perfectly she is only using it 50% when in England, she uses it fluently when we are in Germany or with German speakers.

Yes, speak to him in English at home but let him have enough Portuguese as well even if you stay at home instead of working. Especially if you intend to stay there long time and he needs to go to school.

Agree with previous posters: speak your native language at home and let your dc pick up the foreigh language at playgroups/nursery/school.

Once he goes to school he will master portuguese in no time, so get started in english now.

We only speak English at home and live in Germany. DS goes to a regular German preschool and is pretty much fluent in German outside the home and fluent in English at home. We have a lot of expat friends with similar experiences. So don't worry!