BULGARIAN
The first language is exactly that-the base, the foundation. We use it for everything, all the time, inside and outside the house. We have a rich personal library full of wonderful children's books. And you will think-this is enough! But it is not. To keep this language alive, I have integrated it with our other languages. It is not a stand-alone language any more because this would have been a severe limitation. When in the presence of other language speakers we comfortably switch but among ourselves we never do. I maintain a discipline about that. The first language is a tool in the communication toolbox but it IS the most important tool. The library has been my savior to that end because as children grow it is very easy for the first language to become outdated and limiting in terms of richness of expression. If you cannot find the words, you cannot express your ideas and you want to be heard and understood, therefore you will resort to the toolbox with the richest language tools set. Every topic my kids express interest in has been covered in details with books we have borrowed from the library and with activities and experiences inspired by ideas from friends or the local community.It is very very difficult to keep up-it is time consuming, it is humbling but it is also empowering. To keep the first language alive and well, it has to be enriched and the contents of the toolbox maintained and upgraded constantly.ENGLISH
The second language or the trouble maker, the sever competition of the first language. Yes, English. It was a later comer and reaped the benefits of the solid foundation laid by the first language. It is obtained through an immersion-type of experience-2.5 hours per day during the school year. It is the language of everything that is around us. It is the inevitable one. The one that will be present without effort. Instead of fighting it I choose to embrace it. I just make sure I am one step ahead in the game with the first language. What I mean is the following. Schools, at the moment the main source of immersion in the second language, are predictable-they have a curriculum. As a consumer of this system a parent knows what and when will be communicated. I cover that ground ahead of time in the first language and more in depth. Thus I hope to accomplish two goals: 1) I do not allow the first language to lose relevance and suffer from limitation and 2) I explain concepts once my way, the teachers reinforce what I have covered in a similar or a different way giving me an opportunity to have a discussion and solidify, reinforce the learning/foundation-laying. I thought the concept of reading in the first language and reading in the second language proved to be a breeze.PORTUGUES
The third language is the most difficult one. It should be relevant. It should be important. But it is very difficult to make it because there are only three potential consumers. Our resources are not limited-there is youtube, tons of free picture books on the internet, and so many books we have at home. The lack of need for it makes it a low priority and brings out a resentment towards it. I have struggled because my own knowledge is limited and my confidence is very low. But I am the only one to teach it. I have to motivate myself, it has to be relevant and important to me-the teacher-for me to be able to transfer that to the children. I tried 15 minutes/night but this has proven insufficient. One story and Q&A does not make a live language. I have decided to upgrade to the following strategy: 1)Twice a week with each child individually we will read and do activities from a textbook 2)Every night we will read a story relevant to the months topic-we will start with favorite animals 3)Once a week all evening activities will be in portuguese-a movie and a story and conversations.My goal with this language is to make it useable even if with very limited scope. I am laying the foundation but it will be on them and me to more seriosly build later on.
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