I find that when I’m speaking to an English person or writing, I hope still in my own language, I feel much more fluent. Yet only recently have I come to think of English as my native language. It is interesting to note that the majority of Americans wouldn’t be aware that I was speaking in their language and not my own when I was talking to them. When I first came to this country I know people only listened to my accent and didn’t understand a word I was saying!
I spend lots of time thinking before I participate in an American conversation, choosing more culturally appropriate words to explain what I’m thinking to be sure I’m understood. I guess that’s my life every day since I only know one or two other English people!
So just imagine how a 2 year-old feels, who has only ever heard Spanish (or Chinese or Korean — I know of two children adopted from those countries and put into care within 6 months of their arrival here) feels when he is thrust into an English-only pre-school for the first time.
We all struggle, at every age; becoming emotional and resentful, feel angry, isolated and alone. I at least chose to emigrate, albeit as a very naive 26 year-old who knew nothing about the cultural mores of the person she married or America.
Young children who are put into foreign speaking care situations because their parents find it convenient or are under the misapprehension that it’s good for them to be immersed in an all-English-speaking environment are placing their children at risk for several developmental delays, starting with their command of the spoken language and not forgetting the corruption of their emotions.
I experience the same emotions nearly every day despite living in America for over 38 years.
Think about how little ones must feel and how it affects their behaviour.