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Home / Information for the Public / Speech, Language and Swallowing / Development

Learning Two Languages

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Anyone can learn a new language. Some people find it easier than others, but all of us can
do it. Learn more about becoming bilingual.

TYPICAL SPEECH AND

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
On this page: LEARNING MORE THAN ONE
LANGUAGE
Teaching Your Child To Be Bilingual ADULT SPEECH AND
Learning More Than One Language LANGUAGE
Ways To Help Your Child Become Bilingual CHILD SPEECH AND
Talking With Your Child LANGUAGE
Other Resources SWALLOWING AND FEEDING
SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND
Children can learn to speak more than one language. They can learn languages at home, at
SWALLOWING DISORDERS
school, or in the community. Some children can speak both languages easily. But sometimes they GROUPS
know one language better than the other. The language your child knows better is her dominant
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language. Over time, the dominant language may change. For example, a child who speaks
Spanish at home may start to use English when she starts school. Her dominant language could
change from Spanish to English.

Speaking two languages is like any other skill. You need a lot of practice to do it well. Without
practice, your child will have a harder time using both languages.

Teaching Your Child To Be Bilingual

There are a number of ways to teach your child to speak more than one language. You can:

Use two languages from the start. Many children grow up learning two languages at the same
time.
Use only one language at home. Your child can learn the second language when he starts
school.
Give your child many chances to hear and practice both languages during the day.
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Learning More Than One Language

Every bilingual child is unique. Learning two languages depends on the amount and type of
practice your child gets. The following are some basic guidelines:

Most bilingual children speak their first words by the time they are 1 year old. By age 2, most
children can use two-word phrases. Phrases like "my ball" or "more juice" can be in one or both
languages.
From time to time, children may mix grammar rules. They might use words from both
languages in the same sentence. This is a normal part of becoming bilingual.
Some children may not talk much when they start using a second language. This “silent
period” can last for several months. Again, this is normal and will go away.

Ways To Help Your Child Become Bilingual

Books. You can read to your child in both languages. You can find the books you need at
bookstores, at libraries, and on the Internet.

Music. Singing is a great way to introduce a second language to your child. And, it can be a
lot of fun!

TV and videos. Children’s programs are available in many languages. These programs teach
children about numbers, letters, colors, and simple words.

Language programs. Children can learn other languages at camps or in bilingual school
programs. These give children the chance to use two languages with other children.

Talking With Your Child

Your child might have trouble using both languages. In this case, talk to your child in the language
you know best. You should do this even if your child uses a different language at school. A good
language model gives your child the skills he needs to learn other languages. But try not to make a
sudden change in your child’s routine. This can be stressful.

Remember, children all over the world learn more than one language all the time. Learning another
language will not cause or worsen speech or language problems. Bilingual children develop
language skills just as other children do.

If your child starts having trouble in both languages, he may need help from a speech-language
pathologist, or SLP. To find a speech-language pathologist near you, visit ProFind.

Other Resources
This list does not include every website on this topic. ASHA does not endorse the information on
these sites.

Bilingual Language Development (YouTube video)

Can Special Needs Kids be Bilingual? (YouTube video)
¡ Colorín Colorado! (bilingual website for educators and families)
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center: Resources for Families
International Literacy Association
Myths About Bilingual Children (YouTube video)
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
National Association for Bilingual Education
Quick Tips – Talk to Your Baby in Your Own Language

Learn More
The Advantages of Being Bilingual
Second Language Acquisition
Accent Modification

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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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