It´s
been also really fun to observe how he gets sometimes puzzled when his
granny doesn´t understand something he says in English, (like “muddy
puddles”, as he prefers this expression rather than the Spanish
“charcos”, even when he speaks Spanish), or she is not able to
reproduce the names of his toys (“Frightening Mc Mean” is way too
difficult for a Spanish granny!!). I think he is every time more
aware of the fact that he possesses an ability that not everyone has.
I try to explain him that there are others in the world who speak
other languages, and then I try with some German and Italian, and he
finds it very amusing.
Tools
to increase/retain English: Some of the tools that we are using are
working extremely well!!!
Peppa
Pig: I try to limit the passive exposure as much as possible, but we
have found a very good and enjoyable middle term with our beloved
friend Peppa Pig!! We watch episodes and then comment afterwards
about the stories and his favorite parts. Then I also use the
episodes as bedtime stories. He is acquiring lots of new words and
expressions and Papi finds many references to use afterwards in daily
life. Peppa, I owe you a big one!!
Storytelling:
He is absolutely mad about stories now. And the best part of it is
that he clearly prefers stories in English!! The only thing that I
have noticed is that he prefers to see the pictures and follow my
descriptions rather than listening to some elaborated prose. I think
it´s a matter of age, but I´ve noticed that he hardly keeps the
interest if I read the prose literally, even if I try to emphasize
and use different voices for the characters. Anyway the classics are
working super fine (3 little pigs, Snow White, Cinderella…)
Theatre:
We act the stories that he likes assigning characters to everyone,
and then switching, so we all can have all the fun and use different
registers, and yes… Papi has been Cinderella, and yes again, Papi
had to scrub the floor on my knees weeping because I hadn´t been
invited to the ball (which I found totally unfair being the prettiest
girl in town!!!).
This is one of his favorite things to do now as he enjoys so much
dressing up and representing what he sees in the storybooks.
Language
awareness: Other milestones regarding language:
Pronunciation:
He asks for correction and he is starting to correct people. He is
more likely to mispronounce English words than Spanish one, as
expected. But every time he perceives that he sounds differently he
stops and says:”Papi, I said…”, and then shuts up waiting for
an answer, then when I repeat the word he says it again and if he
doesn´t get it right he moves on, but I know he takes some short of
mental note. My only concern is that he takes ME as the reference in
pronunciation, and even though I do try to sound as close as I can to a
native speaker, I´ll never be one. I guess this is something that we
non-natives have to deal with and although it doesn´t keep me up at
night it´s still there…
Vocabulary:
He asks for the name of things in English, i.e. last night:
D:
“Papi, what´s for dinner?”
Mami: “Lombarda”
D: “Papi, cómo es
lombarda en inglés?” P:”Cabbage my boy”.
Now
like always, I´ll be glad to hear what tools you all use to
increase/retain the minority language of your children.
