As you scroll through this post, many of you might be wondering what intentionality has to do with Family Language Planning and why it is so important for families raising children with more than one language. Rightly so, because at a first glance it might not be obvious. So, let’s dive deeper. I often meet parents who feel really overwhelmed by all the decisions they have to make around their family languages. They frequently find themselves navigating external pressures – from extended family expectations and societal norms to educational systems. And these expectations are almost always coupled with their own internal dilemmas and conflicts about managing their family languages. Parents and caregivers are often caught in a whirlwind of options and are faced with high standards that often feel unachievable. Many of them think they must set goals for all their family languages and to meticulously incorporate them in their Family Language Plan. Well, imagine the inevitable disappointment, paired with pressure, stress and frustration when these goals are not met, or at least not to the extent you as a parent/caregiver have envisioned?!
That’s why you need to read on, because this is exactly where the power of intentionality in language planning comes into play. The truth is that, in environments where multiple languages coexist, having a clear and thoughtful plan ensures that each language you’ve chosen to focus on is given equal importance and opportunity to develop. Quality input in each language is vital, but let’s face reality: busy parents can’t do it all. Sure, we wish we could, but we can’t. Therefore, often, hard choices are necessary to set realistic, achievable objectives.
Here is a recent example – I spoke with a parent of two children under 10, juggling five languages in their family life (or at least trying to). Their aim was for fluency in all these languages and literacy in at least three, but preferably in all of them. I had so many questions! Their ambition, while admirable, struck me as a utopic task, considering their regular work hours, the children’s school commitments and their overall day-to-day situation. Sadly, a classic scenario, which could lead to immense stress for the family – both individually and collectively. Therefore, being deliberate, painfully honest while tailoring this process to fit the unique dynamics and schedules of your family will make language learning and acquisition more manageable and effective, adapting to each family’s specific needs and lifestyle.
Why Intentionality Matters
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines ‘intentional’ as “done deliberately”[1]. So, in the context of Family Language Planning, what does it mean to be intentional and why is it so important? It means focusing and dedicating effort towards what truly matters on your family’s language journey. Figuring out what truly matters to you and your family, what aligns with your aspirations and values – both individually and collectively – and aligning your language planning process with it. Intentionality ensures that each chosen language receives adequate attention and development. It has the potential to prevent the neglect of less dominant languages and to avoid the trap of overwhelming ambitions.
In a bilingual family, the languages spoken often have varying degrees of prominence and utility in their everyday environment. Some languages might be used more frequently in the community or school, while others are limited to communication at home. Without intentional planning, there’s a risk that the less dominant languages may not receive sufficient exposure or practice or that you might take on too much and “spread yourself thin”. Because even though it seems like everything “”just happen[s],“ all children need adults who consciously guide and support language development to its fullest extent. This means that combined with our natural interactions with children, we need to intentionally plan for language development.“[2] Indeed, it doesn’t just happen.
Furthermore, intentionality in language planning helps in setting clear goals and expectations. This could include specific objectives such as achieving fluency, learning to read and write or being able to communicate effectively with extended family members. With clear goals, you as a family can create focused strategies to achieve them, making language learning more efficient and purposeful.
Finally, being deliberate about your language planning choices will help with navigating the practical challenges of your bilingual household. This is one aspect that is underestimated far too often, because parents and caregivers think that it will “figure itself out”. However, the reality cannot be further from this assumption and being intentional about your goals and planning will do exactly that – ensure that language learning is a manageable part of your family’s routine, rather than an overwhelming or sporadic activity.
But how do you apply this to your family?
Block some time on your diary, specifically for this and think about these questions:
- Which languages are important to me and my family? Why?
- Which languages do I want / need my child to focus on? Why?
- What is the purpose of each of these languages? Why?
- What level do I want my child to reach in each of these languages? Why?
- How will each language fit into our daily routines?
- What sacrifices might be necessary to achieve these goals?
Be brutally honest!
Being brutally honest in this process of self-reflection is absolutely crucial. Why? Because it requires acknowledging and accepting your own limitations – as an individual, as a parent/caregiver and as a family. Language learning is a process that requires a significant level of dedication and support. Therefore, it is an important part of the process to ask yourself some tough questions:
- How do you plan to support each language effectively?
- How do you plan to implement each language in your daily routines?
- Do you have the time to fully commit to this endeavour?
- How much are you willing to sacrifice?
- Think about time, comfort, activities you are willing to give up in favour of other, language-boosting ones, travel destinations you are willing to give up to provide for time and resources to travel to destinations where the languages you’ve included in your Family Language Plan are spoken?
These questions aren’t rhetorical; they demand honest answers. And I can keep them coming. Understanding and weighing the potential sacrifices involved in achieving your language goals is a crucial step.
So, where do you draw the line?
For instance, let’s revisit my example from before -achieving literacy in at least three languages out of five. Depending on where you live and whether these languages are part of the school curriculum, this goal could entail a considerable amount of extra work. This, inevitably, might mean that your weekends become heavily scheduled with language-focused tasks. So, how much of this time are you truly willing to give up? And, as a parent of two young bilingual children, I can empathise with how challenging this balancing act can be. But, no matter how committed we are, it’s crucial to never lose sight of the fact that our children’s well-being remains our ultimate goal. Always.
In summary, intentional language planning in bilingual families is not „just“ about linguistic development. It’s about making strategic, realistic choices that ensure a balanced and enriching linguistic journey. Being brutally honest with yourself during each step of this process is key to creating a structured and inclusive environment that supports the development of all languages your family would like to include. Being strategic and deliberate in your language planning process ensures not only that children are able to harness the full potential of their linguistic abilities, but also that your family language journey is an enriching and feasible rather than a depleting and stressful part of your family life. It’s about recognising that while you strive for bilingual proficiency, the well-being and holistic development of your child are paramount.
And if you are looking to delve deeper into personalised family language planning or have other questions related to the process, we’d be happy to chat with you. Reach out and let’s walk this path together!
[1] https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/intentional?q=intentional
[2] https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/early-care/tip-pages/all/intentional-early-language-development
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