Raising a child with more than one language is exciting, but it can also feel a bit chaotic: mixed sentences, “wrong” words, three languages at the breakfast table… and at least five different opinions from friends, grandparents and parents on social media who seem to have unlocked the secret to “perfection” in each language.
In this session, linguist and multilingualism specialist Maria (Mimi) Potvin will walk you through how children acquire more than one language and what it means for you in everyday life. Expect fresh insights, straight talk, a few fun facts, and, hopefully, plenty of “oh, so we can do this” moments.
SATURDAY 24 JANUARY FROM 11:30 AT TAALHUIS AMSTERDAM*
Whether you’re a seasoned parent of a bi-/multilingual child or just starting out, this one is for you.
We’ll look at:
– Why multilingual children are not “confused” (even when they mix languages)
– What the research says about how one brain juggles many languages
– Why your home language is not a barrier to Dutch, but a foundation for it
– What all of this means for your everyday choices at home
After the short talk, there will be time for questions, stories and “Is this normal?” moments. Bring your curiosity – there will be plenty of coffee on site.
