themlnetwork.com

A short list of key advantages and disadvantages of bringing up children with several languages.

Key Advantages:

 

• Exposure to another culture

• Builds bridges to new relationships

• Potential economic advantages (career)

• More flexible and divergent thinking

• Self-identity as a language/culture bridge

• Increases self-esteem & self-confidence

Key Disadvantages:

 

• Your child might start speaking 3-6m later

• Your child might temporarily mix languages

• Your child will have to cope with the added academic load: learning to read and to write in another language on top of the first

• ADDITIONAL EFFORT FOR THE PARENTS - this is probably the biggest one, but most parents of bi-/multi-lingual children would agree that it's worth it. 

 

The benefits are well worth the effort !