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This post kicks off our Multicultural Kid Blogs Book Club! We are reading Bilingual is Better by Ana Flores and Roxana Soto. If you have questions about the book club or how to participate, you can find all the information here.
Introduction and Chapter 1: The New Face of America
In the introduction, the authors share the stories of their bilingual upbringings and how speaking two languages has shaped their lives. Their conviction to raise bilingual children eventually moved them to create one of my favorite websites, the parenting blog Spanglish Baby.
Chapter 1: The New Face of America presents a short history of Latinos in the U.S. and briefly discusses the impact the growing Latino population is having on all facets of American life. With this growing Latino presence has come an awareness of the value of speaking Spanish, which in turn has sparked a bilingual parenting revolution. The chapter ends with examples of families in different situations who are raising their children speaking Spanish and English.
Personal reflections
The authors mention that the idea for Spanglish Baby sprang from not being able to find Spanish language children’s books in the United States. I was motivated to start Spanish Playground because I know how hard it is for parents and teachers to find authentic language materials.
I raised my children speaking Spanish and English in the first years of the internet. Before the web existed (yes, the internet existed before the WWW), I was using electronic bulletin board systems to connect my university students to native speakers in Mexico, but there was no material for my children. I desperately searched for books and music in the U.S. and loaded a suitcase with games, books and CDs each time we came home from Mexico. As the web developed and more content became available, I began to find material to use with my family and in my classes. Finally, I started to compile the information here.
I still marvel at the authentic language material on the web and work hard to put Spanish resources in the hands of parents and teachers. Technology has also given us an amazing ability to build community and support each other. I believe the access to authentic language and community that the internet provides will be key in the success of the bilingual parenting revolution in the United States.
In the first chapter, Soto talks about the negative attitudes that some Americans have toward educating children in two languages. It is frustrating that we have to justify giving children a valuable skill and a connection to their heritage, but I know from personal experience that there are people who hold the views the author describes.
Bilingual is Better is an attempt to convince Latinos and others of the importance of raising bilingual children and give them a method to take on the challenge. Raising children with two languages is hard work and takes huge commitment. Many parents will have to be persuaded to try and supported in order to succeed. At some point, we can only hope that schools will assume the responsibility of ensuring that children who start school speaking two languages do not lose one. Until that time, educated Latinos with resources, who are fully integrated into the system, must advocate for all native speakers. The authors are playing a crucial role by promoting the value of bilingualism.
Lines that spoke to me
The author contrasts life in Denver with life in Miami saying …Spanish is not prevalent here, especially if you live in the suburbs. Raising bilingual children, then, becomes a challenge (p 49).
This is also true in many rural areas, like the one where I live. In my experience, “becomes a challenge” is an understatement. Raising bilingual children in any setting requires consistent effort, but living where there is a significant Spanish-speaking population makes it easier. Families living where there are few Spanish speakers need to understand the importance of getting their kids into immersion situations on a regular basis if they are to be truly bilingual.
I think it is safe to assume that Spanish isn’t going anywhere (p 53).
So true! Let’s hope that more and more Americans understand this and give their children the opportunity to speak both Spanish and English.
Questions
– Where you live, do you feel the need to convince people of the value of raising children with two, or more, languages? What do you tell them?
– What insights, reflections, or questions did Chapter 1 generate for you?
Post your ideas in the comments below or follow the conversation on our Google+ Community. You can also about this chapter. Visit the MKB Multilingualism Pinterest Board for related reading.
You can find the chapter discussions on these blogs:
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Chapter 2: – Oct. 7
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Chapter 3: – Oct. 17
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Chapter 4: – Oct. 24
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Chapter 5: – Oct. 31
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Chapter 6: Laugh and Learn – Nov. 7
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– Nov. 14
Susan
Oct 3, 2013
Hi,
I really enjoyed your post. I am married to a Colombian and though we don’t have children yet, we are planning to some day. Therefore the topic of bilingual parenting is of great interest to me. I have encountered criticism simply for marrying a Colombian, and am apprehensive as to how people will react to us trying to raise our children bi-culturally and bilingually.
Jenny
Oct 3, 2013
Don’t be apprehensive! Raising children in two languages is a wonderful experience, and obviously you wouldn’t want to lose the connection to your husband’s culture. If you haven’t read Bilingual is Better, I hope that you will. It has lots of good information about bilingual parenting and how to approach it when the time comes.
Jonathan
Oct 4, 2013
I started reading ‘Bilingual is Better’ this week and found things that I could identify with right from near the start of the introduction, especailly Ana Flores’s comments about why she rejects labels (“the pin you down to one existence, to one experience”). I think that it’s important to feel that there’s flexibility and fluidity when it comes to identity, culture and language and these words conveyed it really well for me.
Jenny
Oct 4, 2013
I agree! The chapter explained the terms Latino and Hispanic fairly throughly, but then embraced flexibility by saying they would alternate between the two. I agree that fluidity and flexibility make much more sense than labels. So often labels mean entirely different things to different people!
Ashley Steel
Oct 4, 2013
I grew up with just one language plus some high school French. I have always felt that it limited me. There are so many people to meet, ideas to think, and places to go … why spend all your life in English? I loved this chapter but hope that non-Latino families and monolingual families will also consider and embrace the value of raising their children to be bilingual … in any language!
Jenny
Oct 4, 2013
I agree! The wonder of speaking two languages is not tied to heritage. It broadens the world for everyone and is something the all families should want to offer their children.
Laura
Oct 5, 2013
This book has many interesting thoughts and tips, but this chapter 1 is difficult. I try to stay out of politics, and it has too much of it there. Page 50 is very controversial, especially now.
I think, the attitudes towards the second language definitely changed to completely positive. I’ve asked different people, parents of small kids. The responses varied: from “Yes, we are learning the second language” to “I wish I knew another language so that I could teach my kid”.
I am starting to use the second language with my daughter. So far, it’s hard!
Jenny
Oct 5, 2013
I think the authors’ point on page 50 was simply to say that Latinos have political power, not to speak in favor of either party. They state facts, mention Latinos who hold public office and clearly say that “political pundits agree that whoever takes the majority of Latino votes will win the White House.” That prediction proved true.
I’m so glad that attitudes have completely changed to positive where you are. I agree that parents who are invested in their kids’ education are positive. In this area, the negative feedback comes from community members who see children of immigrants who speak Spanish at home as a strain on “the system” or believe they are not assimilating fast enough.
It’s great you are teaching your daughter two languages. You’re right; it is hard. It is really fun and rewarding though!
cecilia fencer
Oct 7, 2013
Jenny, great article! I am re reading the book and enjoying it again. I think bilingualism now adays weather you are latino or not is very important. Spanish is becoming the second most important language in this country. I could identify myself with Roxana when she talks about being just Peruvian, in my case I am Bolivian y punto! I also believe that this country is changing and people is starting to accept more different races and cultures. Lets face it this country is a BIG melting pot. I think immigrants should respect this culture, learn it and most important learn the language. I believe a lot of Hispanic do not have a closest realationship with their kids because the kids rather speak in English than in Spanish. So Bilingualis better should go to the whole family.
Jenny
Oct 7, 2013
Your point about relationships is an excellent one! I know many families where communication is compromised because neither generation is truly bilingual. Language and communication hold families together. What could be more important than that?
Jonathan
Oct 8, 2013
I finished reading chapter one a few days ago and was really struck by some parallels between Latinos in the US and Welsh speakers in Wales. I was interested to read about Latinos who don’t speak Spanish who are sometimes keen to make sure that their children still speak Spanish. Here in Wales, there are quite a lot of parents here in Wales who don’t speak Welsh but send their kids to Welsh medium or bilingual schools because they think that they’ll get a better education and it’ll beneficial to them.
Jenny
Oct 8, 2013
I didn’t realize that was the situation in Wales. I know that immigrants in all countries have to make a concerted effort to pass on their language if it is not the same as the dominant culture though, so I guess that the same dynamic applies.
Mandy Stewart
Oct 9, 2013
As an educator of future and current bilingual teachers, I of course want my children to be bilingual, but it is difficult. You really have to believe in it, when you live in the U.S. I was encouraged to read chapter 2 to know that others share my struggles. Even though I am well-versed in the research of the many, many cognitive, social, health, and economic benefits of bilingualism, I, like the author, have had a few moments when I questioned myself. I’m glad I now have my 3 solid reasons the author asked us to write down to go back to if I ever start to doubt myself.
My fears arose when I placed my Anglo, English dominant son in a one-way dual language class for Kindergarten. He did speak some Spanish, but all of the other children in the class were Spanish-dominant Latinos. There were no problems until he and the other kids started realizing he was different. Some said they would not be his friend and he was really hurt. One day he told me he would be glad when he went to an English class so he would have friends. The wonderful bilingual teacher addressed the issue and now in 1st grade with the same students, he feels he has many friends. I love to go eat lunch with him at school and hear him speaking Spanish with ease to his friends!
Jenny
Oct 9, 2013
What a great story! I know how heartbreaking it can be for parents when kids are struggling socially because they don’t speak the language as well. It is something my kids went through in Mexico when they were your son’s age. I am so glad that your son’s teacher could help and that he is doing well now.
You are right that raising children with two languages is hard. It was my passion and my profession, and even so it was exhausting work. I loved it, but I also understand that many parents will feel overwhelmed trying to provide enough exposure to the language. Having access to a dual language program is such an advantage. I hope there are more schools like yours soon!
MKB Book Club – Bilingual is Better. | Journal of a bilingual family
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[…] Introduction & Chapter One (Spanish Playground) […]
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