We are still working on our sea animals unit, and doing some reading and translation of Arabic and English key words. .
I get a lot of concerned parents asking me if they should stop speaking with their child in their native language. They worry that the child is confusing both languages; writing in the wrong direction (right to left for English instead of left to right); flipping letters and writing the mirror image; speaking using mixed language sentences; having them more confident in the native language rather than English and thereby falling behined in comparison to other children of their age etc..
I am a parent of four children who learnt exclusively Arabic at home. They were exposed to English outside the home. They all had these issues. They had to attend ESL (English as Second Language) at school. THEN they learnt English fluently. They now have English reading and writing as their strength. And although they began with Arabic being their first language and English as their second; my three older children now have it the other way around with English as their first language due to daily use. .
My youngest five year old prefers Arabic at this stage and it is his stronger language, but he is reading and writing in both languages simultaneously and can translate, and swap speaking from one language to another with ease. He did (and still) experience confusion and uses the grammar of his first language to construct sentences in the second language etc. These issues will gradually be ironed out as he gains confidence and experience. .
The key is to continue speaking in one language at any given time rather than assume that the child is unable to understand and constantly translate for him. Provide blocks of time for them to use each language with native speakers of that language. Provide books, learning resources, and children programs in each language. Allow imaginative play to happen in each language. Show love of language and learning. Encourage the child’s attempt to speak in that language. Minimise your “explicit” attempt to correct the child’s efforts to use the language. Enjoy their cuteness as they maneuver between languages!