The Unexpected Language Teachers: How Pets Can Encourage Bilingualism in Your Family

Ever heard of a bilingual dog?

About four years ago, my family and I adopted a Spanish greyhound – a Galgo – who’d been used for hunting and had either escaped or been abandoned in an industrial estate. He was about five years old, anxious, scarred, and skinny (skinnier than even a greyhound should be).

He came into our home not knowing how to be a pet. He weed in the corner of the living room, ate scraps out of the bin in the kitchen, and nervously followed us around everywhere. The dog rescue centre told us he had separation anxiety because he had been abandoned, and he whimpered and trembled whenever he was left alone. It felt like he was always counting us to check no one was missing. He didn’t really know how to interact with us and to the disgust of my kids, he didn’t even know how to play or do any tricks. It was a challenge, but with time, patience, and the help of lots of treats, we taught him to play chase and hide-and-seek. He occasionally almost fetches a stick before realising it isn’t edible, but he spends most of his time sleeping. If you want a fun dog, I suggest you get a Golden Retriever, not a neglected Spanish Galgo (we love him though!).

But there’s one amazing thing about our dog… because we’re a bilingual household, he’s now a bilingual dog! He understands “sit” and “túmbate” (lie down). He rolls over for “tummy tickles” and can “dar la pata” (shake paws). He understands “walkies” and also knows what a “paseito” is (walkies in Spanish!). He loves “sausages” and “chorizo” of course. Visitors are always amazed by our talented and multilingual dog!

How Pets Can Encourage Language Use

Having a bilingual dog has been an unexpected but delightful part of our bilingual household. Pets, in general, can play a significant role in encouraging children to use language, especially in a bilingual setting. Here are some ways pets can help:

Natural Conversation Starters

Pets provide endless opportunities for conversation. Whether it’s feeding, walking, or simply playing with your pet, these activities naturally lead to talking.

Encourage your children to give commands to the pet in the minority language. Simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can be practiced daily. This not only helps your pet learn but also reinforces your child’s vocabulary and confidence in using the minority language.

Interactive Learning

Pets require care and attention, which can be turned into interactive learning experiences. This can be particularly effective in teaching new vocabulary and phrases.

Create a daily routine where your child is responsible for certain tasks related to the pet, such as feeding or grooming. Use the minority language to describe each task, like “time to feed the dog” or “let’s brush the cat.” This repetition helps solidify language learning in a practical context.

Storytelling Opportunities

Pets often have funny or interesting stories that can be shared. Encourage your children to tell stories about their pet’s adventures in the minority language.

Ask your child to narrate a day in the life of your pet. This could be a fun bedtime activity where they describe what the pet did throughout the day, using as many words in the minority language as possible. It’s a great way to practice storytelling skills and expand vocabulary.

Emotional Connection

Children often form strong emotional bonds with their pets. This connection can be leveraged to encourage language use, as children are more likely to talk about something they care deeply about.

Use your pet as a subject in language practice. Encourage your child to express their feelings about the pet, describe their favorite things about the pet, or even write short stories or poems. This emotional connection makes the language practice more meaningful and engaging.

Cultural Integration

In a bilingual household, pets can help integrate cultural elements associated with each language. This can be a fun and educational way to teach your children about different cultures.

Incorporate cultural practices related to pet care from both languages. For instance, if there are specific traditions or holidays involving pets in your culture, celebrate them and explain their significance in the minority language. This helps children understand and appreciate cultural nuances while practicing the language. Here in Madrid, every 17th January you can take your pets to be blessed in a church in the Chueca neighbourhood – it’s the feast day of San Anton, the patron saint of animals!

Practical Tips for Using Pets to Encourage Bilingualism

Here are some practical tips to make the most of your pet’s potential as a language learning tool:

1. Consistent Commands

Use consistent commands in the minority language. This helps both your pet and your child learn and remember the words.

2. Daily Routines

Incorporate the minority language into daily pet care routines. Use this time to practice speaking and listening skills.

3. Interactive Play

Engage in interactive play that involves language use. Games like fetch, hide-and-seek, or even simple tricks can be great opportunities for language practice.

4. Storytelling Sessions

Encourage your child to tell stories about your pet. This can be done orally, through drawings, or even by writing short stories.

5. Cultural Activities

Integrate cultural practices related to pets into your routine. This can be a fun way to teach language and culture simultaneously.

Conclusion

Pets can be wonderful language learning companions in a bilingual household. They provide natural opportunities for conversation, interactive learning, storytelling, emotional connection, and cultural integration. By leveraging these opportunities, you can create a rich language learning environment for your children.

Our bilingual dog has not only become a beloved member of our family but also an unexpected language teacher. The lessons we’ve learned from him have been invaluable in our journey of raising bilingual children. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of balancing different languages in your home, remember that even the simplest interactions, like those with your pet, can be powerful tools for language learning.

Interested in learning more about how the Bilingual Roadmap can help your family? Let’s connect and start your journey today!

Comment below about your amazing pet – maybe you have a multilingual cat or a polyglot hamster?

Even if you’re not interested in bilingualism, tell me – what unexpected lessons have you learned from your pets?  Share your stories – I’d love to hear them!

 

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