Recently, I worked with a family raising an infant. During our consultation, they asked a question that is incredibly relatable for anyone raising a child with more than one language – a question that, surprisingly, doesn’t get asked often enough:
What are some common challenges multilingual families can expect?
This simple yet powerful question inspired me to write this blog post because it touches on something so many multilingual families wonder about – whether they’re just starting out or have already been walking down that road for a while – even if it often goes unspoken. Raising a child with more than one language is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Understanding these potential hurdles and knowing what to expect can give families not only a great head start but also the reassurance that what they’re experiencing is completely normal. It can help reduce the pressure, stress and overwhelm that often come with juggling multiple languages in daily life. Most importantly, it eases the fear of not doing enough for your children or “messing it up” for them. With the right preparation, awareness and mindset, you can feel confident and empowered, riding the wave with greater ease and skill, while enjoying the ride.
So, let’s dive into 15 common challenges multilingual families face and uncover the reasons behind them:
1.Language mixing and code-switching
What? Children (and adults) who speak multiple languages may mix them or use elements of more than one language in the same sentence / utterance / conversation. This is often a concern for parents who fear it might hinder their child’s ability to separate languages properly or simply confuse them.
Why? Mixing and code-switching are completely normal parts of multilingual development and often signal a strong linguistic foundation. It’s important not to discourage mixing / code-switching as it often shows children are creatively navigating their language skills. So, rather than seeing it as a problem, it’s important to view it as a creative way children navigate their developing language skills.
2. Maintaining minority languages
What? A frequent concern for multilingual families is that the minority language (often the home language) may fall behind, especially if the child attends school in the majority language.
Why? The majority language very often naturally becomes dominant due to the amount and quality of exposure, societal importance as well as their social environment. Without sufficient support at home, the minority language may gradually lose ground. This is why fostering a(n) (home) environment where the minority language is seen as valuable and actively used can play a crucial role in helping it thrive alongside the majority language.
3. Setting realistic goals for each language
What? It can be difficult to decide what level of proficiency to aim for in each language, especially when time and resources are limited.
Why? Parents often wonder if aiming for academic fluency in all family languages is achievable or if certain languages should take priority over others. This decision is influenced by factors such as exposure, resources and long-term family goals. Language development is a journey and balancing expectations and aspirations with what’s achievable is key.
4. Choosing the right language strategy for your family
What? With so many strategies – One Parent, One Language (OPOL), Minority Language at Home (ML@H), Time and Place, etc. – it’s hard to know which will work best for your family’s unique situation, especially with all the noise and societal pressure favouring one strategy over another.
Why? Each strategy has its pros and cons, and what may work well in one family might not be as effective in another. Factors such as family dynamics, daily routines and long-term (language) goals play a crucial role in choosing the right approach. Flexibility is key as your family’s needs evolve.
5. People questioning your choice to raise a multilingual child
What? Parents often face skepticism or unsolicited advice from others about raising their child with multiple languages, with concerns about confusion, speech delays or academic challenges.
Why? These misconceptions often stem from outdated beliefs, a lack of understanding or resistance to ideas that challenge traditional norm. Many people are unaware of the extensive research demonstrating that multilingualism does not cause confusion or delays – in fact, it offers numerous cognitive, social and (socio-)emotional benefits. For some, these doubts might also reflect their own insecurities or discomfort with the complexities of navigating multiple languages. Addressing criticism with confidence, supported by clear facts and personal experience, can not only shift the narrative but also help foster greater understanding and acceptance.
6. Figuring out how much language input is “enough”
What? Parents worry about whether their child is getting enough exposure to each language, especially the minority one.
Why? Children need consistent and meaningful input to acquire, use and retain a language. Yet, the demands of daily life, competing priorities and an uneven balance between the home and majority languages often leave parents questioning their efforts. While there’s no one-size-fits-all “formula”, the amount of input needed depends on a mix of factors, including your family’s language goals, the contexts in which the language is used and individual differences, like personality and aptitude. Tailoring your approach to align with these factors can make language input more intentional and impactful.
7. Maintaining consistency (without feeling stressed or overwhelmed)
What? Following a language plan isn’t always easy and life is unpredictable (duh?!) – routines get disrupted, kids resist speaking the home language or other priorities take over.
Why? Consistency is key in language development, but parenting itself is already a rollercoaster. The added responsibility of maintaining a language plan can feel overwhelming, particularly when results aren’t immediate (or even quick) or the child pushes back. Adopting a flexible mindset and making language use feel natural within your family life can ease the pressure.
“Multilingualism doesn’t cause confusion – it unlocks a world of cognitive, social and emotional benefits.”
8. Limited support or resources for minority languages
What? Books, media or extracurricular activities in less common languages can be scarce or non-existent, particularly in places where vastly dominant languages overshadow others.
Why? Minority languages, or such that are considered “low status” in a particular environment, often lack institutional and market support, making it really hard to find quality (or any!) resources. This puts the burden on parents to fill the gaps, often requiring significant effort and creativity to find or create materials. The added stress can make it challenging to sustain support (or motivation!) for the language. However, repurposing available resources or tapping into online communities, for example, can help make the process more manageable.
9. Language loss due to majority language influence / dominance
What? Children immersed in a majority language environment – through school + peer interactions – tend to gravitate toward it, as it’s easier, needed and very socially rewarding. Over time, the home language may take a backseat, resulting in language attrition and ultimately – language loss.
Why? The majority language is used for most social interactions and academic activities, giving it more “weight” in a child’s life. Without deliberate reinforcement, the minority language may be perceived as less relevant or necessary, leading to decreased use and eventual loss. However, small but consistent efforts to embed the home language into daily routines and creating a need to use it can make a significant difference.
10. Lack of community support
What? Sustaining a language without a community of speakers is tough, especially for minority languages. It’s next to impossible if you try to be a one-person show. It can feel isolating.
Why? Language thrives on social interaction. Without a community of speakers, children miss out on opportunities for authentic communication, making the language feel less alive and meaningful; less tangible. Parents may also feel isolated without others to share the journey with or provide support. Building a “micro-community” of speakers can create that sense of connection and a need to use the language beyond the family, thus fostering motivation.
11. Parental proficiency in the non-dominant language
What? Sometimes, one or both parents in a multilingual family aren’t fluent enough in the native language to confidently pass it on to their children.
Why? This often occurs when parents didn’t grow up speaking the language themselves or have been away from their cultural roots for a (very) long time. Limited opportunities to use or strengthen the language, coupled with societal pressures or the dominance of another language, can lead parents to deprioritise it. Over time, this lack of practice can erode their confidence, making it harder to maintain the language within the family.
12. Navigating school system in a different language
What? When children attend school in a language that’s different from the one spoken at home, it adds an extra layer of complexity to their linguistic development.
Why? School environments often prioritise the dominant language, making it challenging for families to maintain the home language. If not managed carefully, it can backfire, leaving children struggling with both languages and impacting their confidence, feeling of belonging, cultural connection and academic growth. Without support from both school and home, children may feel torn between two linguistic worlds, risking subtractive bilingualism where one language is lost rather than additive bilingualism where both languages flourish.
13. Sibling language differences
What? Siblings in multilingual families almost always end up with varying levels of proficiency in each language.
Why? This can stem from, for example, differences in personality, exposure and life stages. For instance, older siblings often have more time with one-on-one parental language input, while younger ones often grow up in a busier or in an environment where the societal / majority language is much more dominant. Additionally, siblings may influence each other’s language preferences, sometimes favouring the dominant language for ease of communication, especially as they grow older and peer relationships become more significant.
14. Consistency when the minority language is not reinforced anywhere
What? When the home language has little to no presence outside the family setting, it can be incredibly challenging to maintain consistent exposure.
Why? Without community support, a social circle, cultural activities or access to resources in the minority language, children’s exposure often relies solely on their parents’ efforts and, let’s face it, you can’t be a one-person show! It has nothing to do with the fact if you are determined or not – it’s just not feasible in the long run. It’s an immense responsibility that can lead to fatigue, frustration and overwhelm, especially when the community language starts to dominate. Over time, the minority language runs the risk of being overshadowed and pushed into the background, making it even more difficult for children to retain or develop proficiency.
15. Pressure on children to achieve proficiency in multiple languages
What? In multilingual families, children sometimes feel overwhelmed by expectations to master all of their family’s languages “perfectly”.
Why? Parents often set high goals for their children to achieve full academic proficiency in all the languages in their environment, sometimes without considering the demands it places on everyone involved. While undoubtedly driven by love and a desire to prepare them for a globalised world, it can unintentionally do more harm than good. Learning multiple languages takes time, patience and consistent effort from the entire family. Without a balanced and realistic approach, this pressure can backfire, leading to stress, frustration or even resistance toward certain languages.
And let’s be clear – these 15 challenges are just the tip of the iceberg. Raising multilingual children is a rewarding but complex journey that comes with its own set of hurdles. The good news? Awareness is the first step toward creating a language strategy that truly works for your family.
You are not alone!
And you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re just starting out or facing a specific challenge, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to make multilingual parenting a little less overwhelming – and a lot more fulfilling.
📩 Reach out today if you’re looking for personalised advice or practical strategies tailored to your family’s needs.
I’d love to hear your experiences – share them in the comments or reach out to me directly!
*bilingual = multilingual
Photo by Alireza Soltani on pexels.com
