I was reading an article yesterday about how
bilingualism makes children smarter, by improving their cognitive skills (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html).
I have always been proud about how all our kids grew up bilingual (my step-daughter
in German and English; the other three in English and Greek – adding German to
the mix by the time they were three years old). I am confident that one day
they will come to appreciate this gift we have given them, even if now they complain about having to go to two different schools (they go to Greek
school once a week in addition to their “regular” bilingual school) and do
their Greek homework when they have so much else going on.
bilingualism makes children smarter, by improving their cognitive skills (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html).
I have always been proud about how all our kids grew up bilingual (my step-daughter
in German and English; the other three in English and Greek – adding German to
the mix by the time they were three years old). I am confident that one day
they will come to appreciate this gift we have given them, even if now they complain about having to go to two different schools (they go to Greek
school once a week in addition to their “regular” bilingual school) and do
their Greek homework when they have so much else going on.
For me, raising them this way is much more than wanting
to make them smarter or offer them practical advantages in their future lives
and careers. The idea that my children would learn my native language was always
a given. It was also part of a bigger “package:” I wanted them to become
familiar with my culture; to understand and appreciate where part of their
family comes from; to be proud of their Greek heritage. Eventually, I wanted
that culture to become part of their identity.
to make them smarter or offer them practical advantages in their future lives
and careers. The idea that my children would learn my native language was always
a given. It was also part of a bigger “package:” I wanted them to become
familiar with my culture; to understand and appreciate where part of their
family comes from; to be proud of their Greek heritage. Eventually, I wanted
that culture to become part of their identity.
Before they were born, I read most of the literature
on raising bilingual and multilingual children (yes, I’m a nerd). I knew what
the benefits are, which methods work and what common mistakes I should avoid. This
was not going to come naturally or automatically to them. It was going to be work, but it would be well worth it. I was diligent about speaking to them only in Greek;
reading Greek books to them; insisting that we watch DVDs in Greek, instead of other
languages (my husband drew the line at dubbed Disney movies J); sending them
to Greek school once a week as soon as they turned four;
hanging out with our Greek friends and their children as much as possible. I
also wanted them to have a feel for the culture first-hand, so I took them to
Greece regularly, making sure they spent time with my family and took part in
family traditions and celebrations. I was secretly hoping that at some point they
would feel Greek, at least in part; that my home country would become their home,
too.
on raising bilingual and multilingual children (yes, I’m a nerd). I knew what
the benefits are, which methods work and what common mistakes I should avoid. This
was not going to come naturally or automatically to them. It was going to be work, but it would be well worth it. I was diligent about speaking to them only in Greek;
reading Greek books to them; insisting that we watch DVDs in Greek, instead of other
languages (my husband drew the line at dubbed Disney movies J); sending them
to Greek school once a week as soon as they turned four;
hanging out with our Greek friends and their children as much as possible. I
also wanted them to have a feel for the culture first-hand, so I took them to
Greece regularly, making sure they spent time with my family and took part in
family traditions and celebrations. I was secretly hoping that at some point they
would feel Greek, at least in part; that my home country would become their home,
too.
I knew that I had a short window of opportunity before the
other two languages took over once they were in school,
so I did my best (Sure enough, that window is rapidly closing now, as I am
noticing, to my horror, that they sometimes switch to English or German even
when they are with their Greek or half-Greek friends).
other two languages took over once they were in school,
so I did my best (Sure enough, that window is rapidly closing now, as I am
noticing, to my horror, that they sometimes switch to English or German even
when they are with their Greek or half-Greek friends).
The big shock came when, a couple of years ago, I was
watching Philip and Alexia at soccer practice and the coach was trying to point
out how many different countries were represented in the group, by asking the
kids who came from each country to raise their hand. When it was Greece’s turn,
neither of them raised their hand (they did for Austria)! Somehow I did not see
it coming. We had a long talk afterwards and I tried to explain to them
about their bicultural heritage; that, despite what they might think, they are half-Greek. It became clear that,
while my children understand very well that I
am Greek, it did not occur to them that they are as well. They are always happy
to go visit and at some point even told me that they would have liked to live in
Greece, but their attachment to the culture is very different from mine and
always will be. It is a strange feeling, but one that I need to come to terms
with and be happy for whatever “Greekness” they do have from me.
watching Philip and Alexia at soccer practice and the coach was trying to point
out how many different countries were represented in the group, by asking the
kids who came from each country to raise their hand. When it was Greece’s turn,
neither of them raised their hand (they did for Austria)! Somehow I did not see
it coming. We had a long talk afterwards and I tried to explain to them
about their bicultural heritage; that, despite what they might think, they are half-Greek. It became clear that,
while my children understand very well that I
am Greek, it did not occur to them that they are as well. They are always happy
to go visit and at some point even told me that they would have liked to live in
Greece, but their attachment to the culture is very different from mine and
always will be. It is a strange feeling, but one that I need to come to terms
with and be happy for whatever “Greekness” they do have from me.
Soon after we decided to move to Zurich, one of myfirst priorities – besides finding a home and schools for the kids – has been
to find a Greek school for them. I want them to at least have a once-a-week,
formal contact with the language and with the culture. I have not been able to
locate such a school yet, but I’m working on it. The Greek school here in
Vienna has been very much part of their weekly program and I must admit that
the thought of not finding a similar institution in Zurich makes me a bit
nervous, especially for my youngest. Given that our family language is English, he will only get Greek from me on a
regular basis. I know that there is so much more I could do to reinforce both the
language and the cultural aspect of learning. ometimes I’m just tired. Still,
letting go is not an option.
Children need anchors in their lives, particularly when they move around. Besides their family, awareness
and connection with the different cultures that constitute their identity can
provide that stability and continuity they need as they go through change
and transitions. So even if I don’t find that Greek school in Zurich, the “Greek
immersion programme” will continue – at home and on location, in Greece. I am also hoping my
mother will continue with her grandmotherly duties, which involve helping me
teach the little guy how to speak and read in Greek and making sure the older
ones don’t lose their skills.
and connection with the different cultures that constitute their identity can
provide that stability and continuity they need as they go through change
and transitions. So even if I don’t find that Greek school in Zurich, the “Greek
immersion programme” will continue – at home and on location, in Greece. I am also hoping my
mother will continue with her grandmotherly duties, which involve helping me
teach the little guy how to speak and read in Greek and making sure the older
ones don’t lose their skills.
My children will make their own cultural choices as
they grow up and I will have to respect them. But for the moment, they will continue
to do their Greek homework every week – and be less than thrilled at it – because
they have no choice.
they grow up and I will have to respect them. But for the moment, they will continue
to do their Greek homework every week – and be less than thrilled at it – because
they have no choice.
I would love to hear about how you have dealt with raising children under multiple
cultural influences. What challenges did you face in doing that and how did you
cope with them?
cultural influences. What challenges did you face in doing that and how did you
cope with them?
