Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our multilingual support
Language learning can begin from birth! The period from 0 to 7 years represents an ideal window of opportunity during which a child's brain is particularly receptive to natural language acquisition. The earlier you start, the more natural and effective the learning will be.
Language mixing is a normal and temporary phenomenon in multilingual development. Our strategies help children progressively distinguish between different languages while respecting their learning pace. With a well-structured linguistic environment, this mixing naturally decreases over time.
Language development in multilingual children follows its own rhythm that may differ from monolingual children. It's normal for them to initially seem to progress more slowly in each individual language, especially when starting school, where they might be the only child managing a second language. This apparent initial 'disadvantage' is temporary and part of the natural process of managing multiple linguistic systems simultaneously. In the long term, studies show that these children reach the same level as their peers in the school language, with the added benefit of mastering another language. Research confirms that the learning curve is different, not inferior, and that the cognitive benefits of bilingualism far outweigh any initial slowdown.
You don't need to be perfectly bilingual! We help you establish strategies adapted to your language level, combining your knowledge with appropriate complementary resources such as books, songs, apps, and interactions with native speakers. Authenticity and consistency are more important than perfection. Many parents achieve excellent results even with a basic or intermediate level of the language.
The first signs of progress can appear within the first few weeks of applying our strategies, such as increased interest in the language or repetition of simple words. However, language learning is an ongoing process. With our 3 to 12-month follow-up, we typically see significant progress after 3 months of regular application of the recommended methods, such as understanding basic phrases or ideas.
The answer is definitely no. Humans have the capacity to learn languages at any stage of life. While it's true that children under 7 typically acquire languages more naturally due to brain plasticity, older children can also become competent bilinguals. The difference lies mainly in the pedagogical approach, which requires specific adaptations to maintain motivation and leverage the cognitive strengths of each age. At LinguaFamilia, we specialize in the most receptive stage (0-7 years), where we can maximize the impact of our strategies.
We specialize in children from 0 to 7 years old because this stage represents a unique window of opportunity for language learning. From age 8 onward, learning patterns change significantly: children develop greater self-awareness, may feel more embarrassed about making mistakes, and experience changes in their intrinsic motivation (the natural desire to learn for pleasure and curiosity) toward learning. Additionally, our methodology is specifically designed to leverage the characteristics of early development, where language acquisition occurs more intuitively and naturally. For children older than 7, we recommend complementary approaches that combine our methodological foundation with strategies adapted to their stage of cognitive and social development.
