Bilingual Nigerian Kids: Tips To Overcome Language Learning Challenges

As a Nigerian parent in the diaspora, you may have experienced the common challenges most immigrant parents do with raising bilingual children. You undoubtedly understand the importance of language in helping your child succeed, however, you may be concerned about the language learning barriers your child may face. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! With patience, support, and the right strategies, your child can overcome these challenges and become a confident communicator.

How To Identify Language Barriers

Before you can help your child overcome language learning barriers, you need to identify what’s holding them back. Is it:

• Pronunciation difficulties: Your child may struggle to pronounce words correctly, making it hard for others to understand them. This could be due to differences in sound or intonation between their native language and the new language.

• Limited vocabulary: Your child may not know enough words in the new language, making it hard for them to express themselves. This can lead to frustration and difficulty communicating effectively.

• Grammar confusion: Your child may find it hard to understand and use the rules of the new language, such as verb tenses or sentence structure. This can make it difficult for them to form coherent sentences and communicate clearly.

• Fear of making mistakes: Your child may be afraid to speak or write in the new language because they’re worried about making errors. This fear can hold them back from practicing and improving their language skills.

• Lack of practice opportunities: Your child may not have enough chances to practice speaking, writing, or listening in the new language. This can make it hard for them to improve their skills and build confidence in using the language.

How To Help Your Child Overcome These Barriers:

Create a supportive environment for your child’s language learning: Children learn best when they feel supported and encouraged. Create a language-learning friendly environment at home by:

• Displaying language learning materials and resources
• Attending language learning events and activities together
• Making language learning a family affair
• Encouraging siblings to support and learn with their sibling
• Creating a language learning corner or station.

Source; early-child’s- education

Build your child’s confidence: Learning a language can be intimidating, especially for children. Help your child build confidence by:

• Praising their effort, not just their results
• Celebrating small successes and milestones
• Emphasize that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process
• Focus on progress, not perfection
• Encourage self-praise and self-motivation

Provide opportunities for practice: Children need opportunities to practice their language skills to improve. Enrol them in a language class, find a language tutor, and encourage self-study with worksheets, videos, and online resources. Also:

• Encourage speaking and listening activities
• Engage in conversations with native speakers
• Watch TV shows and movies in the target language
• Listen to music and sing songs in the target language

Foster a growth mindset in them: Children with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Encourage your child to view language learning as a skill that can be developed over time with persistence and resilience. Teach them to:

• Embrace challenges
• Persist through difficulties
• See failures as opportunities for growth
•  Focus on learning, not just grades or results

Make language learning fun and enjoyable for your child: Learning a language should be enjoyable! make language learning fun by using: games and puzzles ,role-playing scenarios; cooking and trying foods from your culture.

Explore fun ways to teach your kids about Nigerian culture and values 

Source:smartparenting.ng

Seek additional resources: If your child is struggling with Nigeria language learning, don’t be afraid to seek additional resources. Consult with a language learning tutor, utilize online resources and language learning platforms, and consider enrolling your child in an online language learning class. Also:

Join a Nigerian language-learning parenting community, attend language learning conferences and also use language learning YouTube channels.

By following these tips, you can help your child overcome language learning barriers and become a confident communicator. Don’t forget children learn at their own pace, so stay positive and celebrate your child’s success along the way!

Remember! LearnWazobia is at your service to help your child overcome their language learning barriers. By enrolling your child, you are providing them with a fun and interactive way to learn Nigerian languages and cultures.