Will Learning Two Languages Delay My Child’s Speech? A Guide for Parents
Many parents wonder whether learning two languages could delay their child’s speech or language development. If your family speaks one language at home and your child is learning English at daycare or school, you may have questions about how to support their communication skills.
The good news is that learning two languages does not cause a speech or language delay. Children can learn more than one language as they grow, and families do not need to stop speaking their home language to support their child’s development (Byers-Heinlein & Lew-Williams, 2018).
How Does Bilingual Language Development Work?
Bilingual children learn and use two languages, but they may not have the same skills in both languages. Their vocabulary and communication abilities can vary depending on how often they hear and use each language and the situations in which they communicate (Kohnert, 2010).
For example, a child who speaks Mandarin at home and English at school may know more Mandarin words related to family routines and more English words related to classroom activities. This is a common part of bilingual language development and does not automatically indicate a language delay.
Children may also become more comfortable using one language in certain settings or with particular people. Their language strengths can change over time as their experiences and opportunities to communicate change.
Is It Normal for Bilingual Children to Mix Languages?
Yes! Mixing words from two languages within a sentence is often called code-switching or code-mixing. It is a common part of multilingual communication and does not, by itself, indicate confusion or a language disorder.
For example, a child who speaks English and Spanish might say, “I want more leche,” using the Spanish word for milk in an English sentence.
Children may mix languages because a word comes to mind more easily in one language, because they are used to speaking that way with a particular person, or because both languages are part of their everyday communication.
Rather than discouraging this, families can continue speaking naturally with their children and provide opportunities to hear and use both languages.
Do Bilingual Children Have Smaller Vocabularies?
A bilingual child may know fewer words in each individual language than a child who speaks only that language. However, looking at just one language does not provide a complete picture of the bilingual child’s vocabulary.
For example, a child might know the word “dog” in English and “perro” in Spanish. These words refer to the same concept. Researchers may consider a child’s combined vocabulary across both languages or count concepts rather than treating every translation as a separate concept.
When a child’s vocabulary is considered across their languages, their skills may look different from what would be expected based on an English-only vocabulary assessment. This is why it is important to consider the child’s full language experience rather than judging their development based on one language alone (Byers-Heinlein & Lew-Williams, 2018).
Should I Speak Only English to My Child?
No. If your family speaks another language at home, you do not need to stop using it to help your child learn English.
Speaking with your child in a language you are comfortable using allows you to share experiences, build relationships, and support meaningful communication. A strong foundation in one language can also support the learning of additional languages.
Families can support bilingual language development by talking about everyday activities, reading books together, singing songs, playing, and responding to their child’s attempts to communicate in either language.
The goal is to provide enjoyable, meaningful opportunities for communication in the languages that are important to your family.
When Should I Consider Speech Therapy for My Bilingual Child?
Although bilingualism does not cause speech or language delays, bilingual children can still experience speech or language difficulties that may benefit from professional support.
Consider speaking with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) if your child has ongoing difficulty with skills such as:
Understanding words, questions, or instructions.
Learning and using new words.
Combining words to express ideas.
Communicating their needs, thoughts, or experiences.
Being understood by familiar and unfamiliar listeners.
These signs need to be considered in the context of your child’s age, language exposure, and overall development. A child who is still learning English may need time and experience to develop English skills; this alone does not mean they have a language disorder.
However, concerns about a child’s communication in their home language as well as their additional language may indicate that an assessment would be helpful. The specific signs of a language difficulty can vary across languages, so a comprehensive assessment should consider the child’s abilities and experiences across the languages they use.
How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help a Bilingual Child?
A speech-language assessment can help identify your child’s communication strengths and determine whether additional support is needed.
The SLP may gather information about:
The languages your child hears and uses at home, daycare, and school.
When your child began learning each language.
How your child understands and communicates in each language.
Your concerns and observations about your child’s development.
Whenever possible, the assessment should consider all of the child’s languages. The SLP may use parent interviews, observations, language samples, and appropriate assessment tools to understand your child’s communication skills. This helps distinguish typical bilingual language development from a possible speech or language disorder.
If therapy is recommended, goals can be developed around your child’s individual communication needs and everyday activities.
Speech and Language Support for Children in Vaughan, Ontario
We understand that every child’s communication journey is different. We support families in Vaughan and surrounding communities who have questions about their children’s speech and language development.
If you are concerned about your bilingual child’s communication skills, a speech-language assessment can help you better understand their development and determine the next steps.
Contact Kurliand Speech Clinic to learn more about our pediatric speech therapy services in Vaughan, Ontario, and how we can support your child’s communication development.
References
Byers-Heinlein, K., & Lew-Williams, C. (2018). Bilingualism in the Early Years: What the
Science Says. Learning Landscapes, 7(1), 95.
Garrido, D., López, B., & Carballo, G. (2024). Bilingualism and language in children with
autistic spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Neurología (English Edition), 39(1), 84–
Gilhuber, C. S., Raulston, T. J., & Galley, K. (2023). Language and communication skills in
multilingual children on the autism spectrum: A systematic review. Autism, 27(6),
136236132211477. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221147780
Kohnert, K. (2010). Bilingual children with primary language impairment: Issues, evidence
and implications for clinical actions. Clinics in Communication Disorders: Assessment
and Intervention of Bilingual Children with SLI, 43(6), 456–473.
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