Speaking different languages, bilingualism

In the long term, being bilingual offers many benefits. Bilingualism Matters, University of Edinburgh:

• Brain development: Bilingual individuals often develop stronger problem-solving skills, creativity, and the ability to switch between tasks. Research also shows benefits for memory and mental flexibility.
• Learning: Bilingualism can support better academic performance, particularly in reading and maths. It also makes it easier to pick up additional languages later.
• Cultural connection: Being bilingual helps children understand and appreciate different cultures, maintain family bonds, and develop a broader view of the world.
• Social skills: Bilingual children can communicate with a wider range of people, which strengthens relationships across their community and extended family.
• Future opportunities: Speaking more than one language opens doors. Many employers actively look for bilingual employees who can work with a broader range of people.

• Speak the language(s) you feel most comfortable with. It is the quality of parent–child communication that is important.
• Your child needs to keep developing their heritage or home language skills to give them a strong foundation for learning other languages. This then helps them develop their skills in understanding and using English. 
• Create a language-rich environment: surround your child with opportunities to hear and use your heritage language, such as through music, games, and conversations with family members.
• Engage your child in interactive reading and storytelling in your home language(s). Encourage and model discussions to enhance comprehension.
• Comment on the things in their environment – what you are doing, what they can see, how things work.
• Sing nursery rhymes, songs and clapping games in your home language – these are great for language development at any age.
• Name everyday objects around the home in both languages – at mealtimes, when cooking, getting dressed, or during bath time.
• Watch familiar programmes or short videos in your home language. Things your child already knows and loves work particularly well.

For more information, visit the following websites:

• Why speaking different languages at home is great for your young child  
• How parents and English language teachers work together 
• Can I talk to my child in another language?

Remember: your home is the most important learning environment your child has. Everyday moments – bath time, cooking, the school run – are all opportunities to build language.

If you work with bilingual children, you are in a strong position to support them and their families. Here are some key things to consider:

• Recognise bilingualism as a strength, not a barrier. Valuing a child’s home language alongside English sends a powerful message to both the child and their family.
• Speak with families to find out which languages are used at home and how confident the child is in each one. Families are your most valuable source of information.
• Avoid assessing bilingual children in English only. This can give a misleading picture of their true language abilities. Where possible, gather information about their skills across all their languages. Free tools such as the Q-BEx questionnaire can help build a fuller picture of a child's language background across all their languages.
• Do not recommend that families stop using their home language. Research consistently shows this is not helpful and can disrupt the child’s overall language development.
• Use the resources and training links on this webpage to build your knowledge and confidence when working with bilingual children.

For more information, visit: Help for early-years providers: English as an additional language (EAL)

The following free webinar may also be of interest to professionals: Free Webinar – Supporting Bilingual and Multilingual Learners

You do not need special equipment or resources to support your child’s language development. Play and everyday routines are powerful tools. Here are some ideas:

At home 

• Play  ‘I spy’ or colour and shape games in your home language.
• Cook together and name the ingredients, actions, and utensils as you go.
• Use puppets or toys to act out simple stories – let your child take the lead.
• Play simple card or memory games where you name things aloud.
• Look through family photos together and talk about who is in them, where you were, and what was happening.

With books and stories 

• Choose books in your home language that your child is genuinely interested in following their likes, whether that is animals, superheroes, or funny stories, makes reading together something they will look forward to.
• Tell familiar folk tales or family stories out loud . You do not need a book for this.
• Use bilingual books if you can find them – Mantra Lingua (see resources below) is a good source.
• After reading, talk with your child about… “What happened first? What happened next? How did it end?”

Helping your child in school 

• Teach your child a few simple phrases to use if they need help : “Can you say that again, please?” or “I need a moment to think.” These small tools can make a big difference in the classroom.
• Let your child’s teacher know which language you speak at home – this information really helps school staff support your child well.
• Celebrate both languages at home. When your child uses their home language, praise it. Both languages are equally valuable.

Will speaking two languages confuse my child?

No. Research consistently shows that bilingualism does not cause confusion. Children are remarkably good at keeping languages separate once they have enough exposure to both. Any mixing you see early on is normal and temporary.

Should I switch to English at home to help my child at school?

No – and this is one of the most important things to know. Your home language is the foundation on which everything else is built. Switching to English at home, especially if it is not a language you are fully comfortable in, can actually slow your child’s overall language development. Keep speaking the language that feels natural to you.

My child mixes the two languages – is this a problem?

No. This is called code-switching, and it is a completely normal part of bilingual life. It happens in adults too. It is a sign that your child is actively using both languages, not a sign of confusion or difficulty.

Could bilingualism cause a language delay?

No. Research does not support this. Bilingual children reach the same language milestones as monolingual children. If a bilingual child has a language delay, the cause is something other than bilingualism (The University of Edinburgh, 2024; RCSLT, 2026).

My child is quieter in English at school. Should I be worried?

Not necessarily. It is very common for bilingual children to have a ‘silent period’ when they are adjusting to a new language environment – this can last weeks or even months. If your child is communicating well in your home language, this is usually a sign that they are listening and taking English in before they feel ready to use it.

• Bilingualism Matters bilingualism-matters.ppls.ed.ac.uk - clear, evidence-based information about bilingual development and common myths (e.g. language mixing, delays).
• Speech and Language Therapy UK ican.org.uk – children learning more than one language - simple, practical advice on supporting children learning more than one language, with everyday communication tips.
• BookTrust booktrust.org.uk – reading in more than one language - guidance and ideas for sharing books and stories in more than one language.
• Cbeebies Parenting bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people - short videos and simple ideas to support communication through play and everyday interaction.
• Best Start in Life nhs.uk – learning conversations - easy, everyday activities to support early language development at home.
• Raising Children Network raisingchildren.net.au - practical advice on supporting children’s communication, including multilingual development.
• Mantra Lingua (optional) uk.mantralingua.com Dual-language books and resources to support home language development and shared reading.

For Professionals only:

•   National Children’s Bureau Supporting bilingual families (video) - practical strategies and insights for supporting bilingual families based on clinical experience.
• Q-BEx q-bex.org   - free and customisable for teachers, SLTs and other professionals to use to build a language profile across all a child's languages. Helps professionals understand a child's bilingual background before assessment.
• Naldic NALDIC | EAL National Subject Association - professional forum for learning more about English as an Additional Language (EAL) and bilingual learners in.