My young son, now in fourth grade, has been raised in a bilingual household. He's being asked to write stories in school and I am afraid his English vocabulary isn't as expansive as it shoud be. What can I do to help him?

A:

The situation you describe is not unusual for children raised in bilingual households during the early elementary grades. However, it has been shown that maintenance of the home language for social and academic purposes highly benefits the developing of both the first and second language, and students usually surpass their peers by the end of elementary school.

Talking and reading with children will help them expand their vocabulary. Among the many ways in which parents can help their children enhance their vocabulary in English are:

Watching television programs together, followed by discussions on the programs

Scheduling time that will allow parents to converse about topics of the children's interest

While working around the house doing chores, playing word games (riddles, guessing games, etc.) with the children

When in the car, asking the children to describe things of interest, make-up stories, give directions, etc.

Getting a library card for the children and visiting the library with them on a regular basis

 

	— Gloria Guzmán-Johannessen, Ed. D.
	Associate professor of education and coordinator of Cal Poly Pomona's Bilingual, Cross-cultural, Language & Academic Development Program