Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Language Explosion!

I’ve been waiting for it. Listening for it. Hoping it wouldn’t take too long. It seems it is happing a bit sooner than I thought it would.

At swimming lessons on Monday, I walked out of the locker room and into the entrance and overhead Olivia asking one of her friends where his mom was. In German. He replied as his mother walked in, telling him something about his Oma (Grandma). To which Olivia asked, “What are you saying about his Oma?” His mother (who speaks fluent English) then asked him to speak slowly to Olivia and tell her. After he did, Olivia said, in English, “Oh, his grandma is coming to visit. Why?”

My jaw hit the floor. She began German kindergarten nine weeks ago.

Yesterday, after I picked her up from school, and on the way to ballet class, she exclaimed, “Mom, I understood so much of what they said at school today.” She was beaming with pride. Self-confidence is starting to replace apprehension.

Today, I asked her teacher how she was doing. She told me that she’s starting to speak a bit of German with her friends, small phrases and sentences here and there. While she’s not Lila’s teacher, she has observed her too, and told me that while Lila doesn’t speak as much, she seems to understand quite a bit.

And, so it begins. My little Olivia, curious and having a need to let everyone know what she is thinking (and also needing to boss children around) is picking up German. Lila is right behind her.

I was recently sent an article on Mulilingualism and its’ benefits. Click here for the link. Even if your children won’t have the opportunity to learn another language at a young age, it’s a great read and explains why we have immersed our children in German schools.

I guess it’s time for me pull out the video camera and have it ready for those precious moments when I catch my girls speaking German!

5 comments:

Amie said...

That is awesome Natalie! I look forward to seeing the video :)

Smitty 1, 2 , 3 and 4 said...

Natalie, I would love for you to be a guest blogger on my language development blog. Would you be interested on talking more about this? I think other mothers would love to read about your experiences and how your girls have benefited. I would also like to include the link you shared. Let me know your thoughts. email me at jamelynn1@gmail.com

The Dunns said...

So neat! I'm seeing the same in my boys, although it's not as fast as with girls. But I'm still amazed at their abilities and by their confidence and contentment in going to school with kids who speak a different language. They never complain; in fact, they have a lot of friends and fun. So cool!

The Matthaidess' said...

Great to hear that your girls are doing so well. Also, like the article -- very interesting.

Ankita Sarkar said...

Good for all of you!
And btw, your kids are way cute!