I don’t jump on the bandwagon of making random New Year’s resolutions just because it’s a popular practice. It’s easy to get swept away by the hype, no question about that. We all get caught up in the enthusiasm of a fresh start sometimes, setting goals like exercising more, eating healthier or practising mindfulness, simply because it’s become a societal norm as the calendar turns. However, this approach can lead to resolutions that are more about fitting in with the trend rather than being genuinely meaningful or personally relevant. Many of these resolutions rarely stick beyond the first month or two of the new year anyway and not because of a lack of desire for change, but due to a lack of alignment with one’s true goals and capabilities. The key is to make your resolutions intentional, purposeful and achievable.
As a language professional and a parent of two multilingual children, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact New Year’s resolutions can have on inspiring transformation and providing a clear direction. In the process, I have also learned that one of the most meaningful resolutions you can embrace as a multilingual and multicultural family is a commitment to revisit and enhance your Family Language Plan (FLP). While we’ve delved into the significance of Family Language Planning previously (see some of our earlier posts for more information: Family Language Plan: When and Why; Reflecting on Family Language Planning; Family Language Planning: Why you Need a Strategy or Why do Bilingual Families Need a Personalised Family Language Plan? ), today I’d like to focus on the transformative potential of this resolution.
Why should you consider revising your Family Language Plan?
When I talk about the “Whys”, I always think about Simon Sinek who says that it all starts with “Why”. And he is absolutely right – we cannot make meaningful, sustainable and lasting change without fully understanding the reasons behind our endeavours; without having discovered our ‘Whys’. Therefore, recognising the significance of revising and updating your Family Language Plan (FLP) is an essential component of achieving success and progress.
Why should you invest time and effort in updating your Family Language Plan, even after having set your goals and outlined the strategies you want to use to achieve them?
Well, family life and child development are dynamic and unpredictable. You can count on it. Therefore, revisiting and refining your FLP is not just a one-time task; it’s an ongoing necessity to ensure it remains relevant and effective; to make sure that the language strategies and practices you’ve chosen integrate seamlessly with your family life. “Dragging” old practices into a changing environment can (and very often will) stifle motivation for a specific language in the long term. As your children grow, it’s crucial to make the (home) language(s) engaging and relevant for them. You need to provide them with compelling reasons to sustain their emotional and linguistic connection with these languages.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What new circumstances have arisen in our lives?
- How has my child developed, both in language skills and overall growth?
Remember, language acquisition / learning isn’t an isolated goal; it’s deeply connected to understanding and nurturing who your child is as an individual and what resonates with them.
How could you approach your Family Language Plan makeover?
Language plans are dynamic strategies. They are not set in stone, can and should evolve over time. Staying consistent in pursuing your language goals, while being flexible and open to change on how to achieve them is key as your children’s and family’s language needs evolve and new situations arise. Every stage of life brings about new language demands and we need to stay open to fulfil them.
Here are some pointers on how to approach a revision:
1.Schedule time in your diary: Stop reading, open your family calendar and block at least two slots this year – one in each half. Right now. Block at least an hour to make sure you have enough time. Talking about revising your FLP and actually doing it are two completely different things and blocking time on your calendar is the first step towards ensuring you commit to the process.
2. Adapt to life changes: Consider any significant changes, such as moving to a new country, starting school or welcoming a new family member. How is your child reacting to the changes? What has changed in their behaviour?
3. Observe changes in your child’s life: Have they picked up new hobbies, made new friends or exhibited changes in behaviour? The last question might be tricky if you have teenagers because they act of character a big portion of the time. So, engage them in discussions to consider and understand their perspective.
4. Monitor language use: Keep an eye on how your children use and respond to different languages (at home). Has anything changed lately? Shifts in preference or reluctance to use a certain language might be indications that you need to make adjustments.
5. Keep up with developments: As your children grow, their language needs, abilities and interests will naturally change. Regular updates to your plan can accommodate these developments.
6. Transition to schooling: The start of formal education is a critical time for language development. Review and adjust your plan both before your child begins school and once they’ve settled in.
Your Family Language Plan is a living guide, evolving with your family’s journey. Engaging in frequent family discussions about it ensures that everyone’s on the same page. View your FLP as a tool for continuous improvement and adaptation. Identify what aspects have been successful and what areas might need tweaking. Introduce new routines or methods to keep language learning and acquisition interesting, fun and engaging. If you choose one New Year’s resolution to enhance your family language game, this is it.
I rarely use “must” when talking about family language planning, but we must be deliberate and intentional about the language choices we make for our children and family every single day. And if you are curious about how to set family language goals more intentionally, stay tuned for my next post!
