Children may not be equally skilled in both languages. It is common for there to be greater understanding than actual use of one language. Less confusion will occur if children learn to associate the two languages differently, for example if one language is used while speaking to the mother and the other while speaking to the father.
Will Using Two Languages Cause Speech Language Problems? .
In general, speech-language problems are less likely to occur when both languages are introduced early and simultaneously. There is a greater possibility of problems if children are introduced to a second language during the preschool years after another language was used exclusively. Some people believe that if a second language is introduced before the first language is fully developed, the development of the first language may be slowed or even regress. Others believe that the skill level of the second language will develop only to that of the first.
Parents who are concerned about their child's speech-language development should contact a speech-language pathologist. An appropriate evaluation of skills will include evaluation of both languages, and will be completed by a bilingual speech-language pathologist or one who has knowledge of the rules and structure of both languages and the assistance of a translator or interpreter. The discovery that a child has some delays in both languages does not necessarily indicate a need for professional services. These delays may be characteristic of a two language learner.
Recent research has emphasized the economic, social, and cognitive advantages available to bilinguals. Yet for many immigrant groups, bilingualism is a temporary phenomenon. Most immigrant children arrive in the United States as monolingual speakers of their native language, develop bilingualism as they acquire English, establish English-speaking households, and raise their children as English-speaking monolinguals.
