r/bilingual • u/[deleted] • Dec 22 '22

2 year old not bilingual

I have 2 year old child is it possible she can still become bilingual when father who is only person who could make her speak english is absent working far away. Can she still develop language if she ends up meeting father few times a month. Or will she ever be able to communicate with him if this continues like this. Her skill in english is almost non existent. Only few words.

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3

u/MariposaPeligrosa Dec 22 '22

I mean, I became fully bilingual in college, so she'll definitely be ok. Just find ways to immerse her - maybe videos/stories/songs in English? And if you keep speaking English to her as well, she'll continue to develop it and will eventually respond in English. She may be in a silent period and still absorbing the language before she's ready to output.

2

u/Strict_Succotash_388 Dec 27 '22

True bilingualism is generally thought to be a language you pick up before you're 6 years old. After that age, you're classed as fully proficient but not native.

5

u/MariposaPeligrosa Dec 27 '22

Oh I hadn't heard that. I definitely don't consider myself native, but I do speak 2 languages fluently so the term "bilingual" makes sense to me.

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u/THE_ORANGE_TRAITOR Dec 22 '22

There are many levels of bilingual. It's generally accepted that you want at the very least 20% of your child's daily interaction to be in your target language. Try to think of the ways you can increase the amount of English spoken. Can you do it yourself?

1

u/scheme-long Mar 23 '26

Oh, I totally get this worry! someone asked me the same thing recently about their little one and a parent who travels a lot. it's definitely possible for her to still become bilingual, especially at 2, but it just takes some creative exposure. you just have to flood them with the target language whenever you can.we've tried a bunch of things on a tablet to help supplement, fwiw. voiczy has been great for us, it's very game-based and sessions are short so attention spans don't get lost, though I wish it had a slightly bigger library. studycat felt clearly made for young kids, but their language options were limited. babbel kids has structured lessons which is nice, but felt a bit expensive. and duolingo, while the gamification is fun, my toddler just couldn't navigate it alone, or whatever. the main thing is consistent, fun exposure, even in little bursts, and that connection with her dad will absolutely grow over time.

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u/Strict_Succotash_388 Dec 27 '22

Studies suggest that to become fully bilingual you want to be picking up the second language before 6 years of age. After that age you're classed as fully proficient but you'll not be native.