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67th out of 113 books
—
11 voters
My rating:
add to my books
The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language
It's no secret that parents want their children to have the lifelong cultural and intellectual advantages that come from being bilingual. Parents spend millions of dollars every year on classes, computer programs, and toys, all of which promise to help children learn a second language. But many of their best efforts (and investments) end in disappointment.
In "The B
...morePaperback, 289 pages
Published
July 31st 2007
by Collins
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Five stars means that there are absolutely no flaws....and while that isn't true, I am not going to be nit-picky enough to flip through the pages just to find something wrong to comment about.
I loved this book. For over three years I have been researching bilingual parenting, bilingualism, how to raise a bilingual family, etc. I have way more knowledge than I need in order to act...but my perfectionistic side has kept me procrastinating a dream I've had for a very long time.
...more
I loved this book. For over three years I have been researching bilingual parenting, bilingualism, how to raise a bilingual family, etc. I have way more knowledge than I need in order to act...but my perfectionistic side has kept me procrastinating a dream I've had for a very long time.
...more
So far this is the best book I've read regarding raising a child to be bilingual. All the info on the advantages of doing this, as well as the myths associated with it, is the same in this book as the others. I skimmed through that part. However, this book answered so many more questions I had, such as if you are speaking the "target" language to your child, how to approach this when speaking in public or in playgroups; how to handle your child rebelling; the role of birth order and ...more
Good book if you're really, really interested in raising your children bilingually. I was reading it more out of an interest in language and, while I like the idea of children (or anyone) being fluent in more than one language) it seemed a little over the top--like speaking several languages is THE skill to ensure the success of your children in today's world. There is some good research and the authors are definitely passionate about their subject--I just can't agree that hiring a bilingual nan...more
This is a comprehensive book about raising multilingual children that takes into account research and parents' experiences. It counters the myths of bilingualism (even the myth that if you didn't start from babyhood, it's too late) and thereby gives validation and inspiration to families who are in any stage or configuration of bilingualism. Instead of feeling discouraged that maybe I wasn't doing enough to promote my own baby's bilingualism, I felt gently encouraged to do more.
This is a good book to keep for reference. I read the first third very carefully. (The book talks about children of all ages, so I skipped the older children sections.) I was such a know-it-all about language acquisition, but this book proved me wrong. It's written by two Georgetown linguists who are also parents, and it draws on current research. One thing this book addresses nicely is the need for real human interaction in language learning, so passive activities like watching TV programs...more
A lot of stuff in the book are common sense. Things like, spend more time with the language, interact with native speakers, etc. One interesting point: watching foreign TV won't help much.
Stacey
added it
If you are trying to teach your child 2 languages, no matter what stage you are at, this is the book to consult. I've done my research, and this is the one I chose.
Rita
marked it as to-read
I REALLY want to read this book before Sept. The author will be my adviser/prof. for the next two terms. She seems like a quirky, fun, slightly crazy lazy...
I read this not as a parent but as a (future) foreign language teacher. I think the book really drives home the importance of meaningful exposure to a language and how language learning then occurs "naturally." Foreign language classes can seem forced, in my opinion, and the nature of classroom structure could possibly be a deterrent for some students to learn a language. That being said, it gave me some great ideas that I hope to incorporate in my classroom.
This book annoyed me SO MUCH because it was trying really hard to be friendly to everyone, no matter what. It was all like, Don't speak a word of a second language? Your kid is already 50 years old? No problem! It's never too late!
And yes, there really were that many exclamation points. But there was a review of some actual, scientific research, which was useful, and they did have good tips and pointers. I definitely took away a good overall message from it too. Still, I ordere...more
And yes, there really were that many exclamation points. But there was a review of some actual, scientific research, which was useful, and they did have good tips and pointers. I definitely took away a good overall message from it too. Still, I ordere...more
Love the way it presents the benefits. It doesn't give you a bunch of false evidence.
Also required reading for my class on Bilingual and Multicultural Education.
Monica
marked it as to-read
i'll try reading again sometime - overdue at the library!!
I had high hopes for this book, but was so disappointed. It carries on for pages and pages without saying anything of substance. It talks a good deal about immigrant families, which does not apply to me. This book could have been essay-length and served a better purpose. What it didn't give was anything helpful (in depth) about how to teach your child languages. Nor does it discuss (in depth) how your child learns languages. I think it's the vagueness that drove me nuts.
Has some interesting tid-bits and a few good to know facts, but as a city dweller in a diverse area, it's nothing too new: exposure and respect of culture is good and fostered by second language development, bilingualism doesn't funk up intellectual development or delay other skills. One thing that's good to know: according to research a child must have at least 20% of their language exposure be in another language in order to attain a general proficiency.
Booyah.
Booyah.
Good idea! But sometimes a little slow
Very interesting book. It gives lots of evidence on why teaching your child a second language is important and all the benefits that can come from knowing more than one language. All-in-all, it's a bit daunting to think about, especially because I know very little Spanish, but I think it's one of the many things I can do for my child to help him later in life. So...Spanish songs, books, nursery rhymes...here we come!
Nothing that rocked my world, except for the debunking of the myth that infants/toddler raised bilingually start talking later. Nice reinforcement that it's smart to send Eleri to a bilingual school. Some worry that kindergarten is almost too late! A handy book of practical tips & science.
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This is the perfect book for parents trying to teach (either themselves or through school) their children a second (or third!) language. It's what finally got me speaking Spanish to my kids, and what motivated me to keep going when I wanted to quit.
Cherri
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