The challenge of studying in a second language!
This year, we moved our French-speaking family to a predominantly English-speaking neighbourhood. While our sons understood English perfectly, they had to overcome many challenges to master the language and become familiar with the culture of their new environment.
First obstacle: Learning to communicate in a second language
Our sons had to get used to communicating with their teachers and classmates in English.
We had always encouraged them to be bilingual:
- We made sure they watched English TV shows from a very young age.
- We occasionally asked them to translate French words or phrases into English during family conversations.
Of course, there’s nothing better than full immersion to help you master all the nuances of a new language!
Second obstacle: Living in an English environment
At first, our sons found it difficult to live their day-to-day in a second language. They had several altercations with classmates. Most were trivial, but some were more serious.
Thankfully, they attend the same school and see each other regularly throughout the day. This made it easier for us to keep tabs on their experiences.
If we got wind of a schoolyard spat, we took the time to talk with our sons and hear their side of the story. We asked questions to make sure we understood the context surrounding the event.
It was usually a simple case of lost-in-translation.
But sometimes, there was a deeper miscommunication that deserved more attention.
In these cases, we made sure to speak with the teacher to learn more or to inform them of the conflict so they could help improve the situation.
A gentle reminder
We’ve sometimes needed to remind the school that our sons are not perfectly bilingual and that it’s important to remind the other students of this as well.
Yes, they understand and follow the lessons in class.
But if they’re unsure of the teacher’s instructions, they’ll copy what their classmates are doing
or ask questions.
There are also days when they get upset because they don’t know how to express what they want to say.
An unknown vocabulary word can be enough to trip them up or cause a misunderstanding. What’s more, they don’t always say what they’re thinking, for fear of rejection or retaliation.
Our sons should be proud of the obstacles they’ve overcome.
We try to always ask them how their day went. If something bad happened, we have a conversation and remind them that we’re here to support them. They should be proud of everything they’ve accomplished so far. One day, they’ll be just as fluent in English as they are in French—if not more so—and have access to a world of possibilities!
Additionnal links
Section Alloprof :
