1. Create a stimulating environment
The environment plays a crucial role. Bilingual structures such as crèches and nursery schools offer a space that is conducive to immersion. With books, toys and instruments in several languages, children can explore, experiment and create.
Key elements of a bilingual environment :
- Sound immersion The children listen to the target language every day (songs, nursery rhymes), which makes learning more fun.
- Reassuring routines Repeated activities, such as singing in the morning, reinforce language acquisition.
- Artistic activities Bilingual games, dance, puppets and songs stimulate curiosity and interest in other cultures.
2. Encouraging free play
Free play stimulates imagination and creativity. In bilingual immersion, these games can incorporate cultural and linguistic elements.
Examples of bilingual games:
- Role-playing games Children invent stories in the target language, such as playing shop in English.
- Creating stories Children tell bilingual stories with puppets or stuffed animals, enriching their vocabulary.
3. Ask open-ended questions
Open questions encourage personal expression. In immersion, they encourage children to use words in the target language.
Questions to arouse curiosity :
- "What if?" encourages the imagination.
- "How would you say that in English" helps children to practise spontaneously.
4. Valuing effort and experimentation
Learning a language is a challenge. By valuing the effort rather than the result, we can boost children's self-confidence.
Strategies to encourage effort :
- Applaud the attempts : Every word or phrase, even imperfect ones, deserves to be valued.
- Experiment Suggest games where children try out new combinations of words and phrases.
5. Introducing culture for complete immersion
Language is a vehicle for culture. By incorporating cultural elements, such as songs or stories, children are immersed in a wider world, beyond words.
Activities to discover the culture :
- Cooking recipes Discover traditional dishes while learning vocabulary.
- Cultural rituals : Celebrate Halloween or the Festival of Lights to understand other cultures.
6. Encourage interaction with bilingual adults
Bilingual adults become linguistic and cultural role models. They show that language is a means of personal expression, not just an academic exercise.
Developing children's curiosity and creativity through bilingual immersion is an investment in their future. This journey is nurtured by varied language experiences, encouragement to play, to ask questions and to discover different cultures. Thanks to these strategies, children can explore the world through language, becoming curious, open and creative citizens capable of navigating an increasingly interconnected society.
