Raising trilingual kids. What to expect.
We asked trilingual children and their mums to talk to us in all the languages they can speak. In this video, you can see how the children switch from one language to another, depending on what they hear.
How to raise trilingual kids using the OPOL method: One Person One Language?
Perhaps you’ve heard of the OPOL (One Person One Language) method where each of the parents speaks with the children their heritage language. This approach is commonly used with multilingual families.
Imagine what a child can do in life if they can speak two or more languages? Be an international pilot? a foreign correspondent? work for the United Nations? work as an international sales manager? become a diplomat? become the CEO of a corporation based in Germany, China, or Poland? Why not?
In this interview, a mum of multilingual children who learn English, Polish, and Italian at the same time shares her experience in raising multilingual children.
What makes a good diverse community leader?
In this interview, we ask Anthony Uchenna Agwagah, the leader of the Igbo community of Nigeria in Dorset what good community leadership is and how can diverse communities cultivate their heritage cultural and language background.
The Good Things That Happened in 2020
I’ve always loved New Year’s Eves. This thrill of having a new hope and the feeling that you could start your life all over again. From now on everything is going to be different. It’s going to be better. I’m going to change. I won’t make those stupid mistakes ever again. I’ll be good. I’ll lose all those surplus kilograms (or, pounds, mind you, I’m writing from England). I’ll have more quality time with my family. I’ll eat healthier. I’ll work less. I’ll work more. I’ll be more organised. I’ll be less stressed. And so on.
2020 has reminded us all that we can promise ourselves whatever we want to, we can make plans as big or as small as we want to, and it doesn’t really matter because things not always depend on us. 2020 was not the year we managed to get everything we wanted. At the same time, it was a year when many of us have managed to see and appreciate what we already had. In the constant run to earn more money, to get more power, to look better, to buy more things or bigger things, or nicer things, we were reminded that the human beings are just a part of this machinery called The World. And the biggest money doesn’t matter if you are ill, the most luxurious cars don’t matter if you cannot drive them to be close to your dear one who is dying, lonely and without any hope for help.
2020 has been extremely difficult, with the worldwide pandemic, extreme weather, record of unemployment, social injustices, forest fires, and closer to the place where I live – Brexit. Enough of that. I beg you. No more talking. Instead, let’s focus on what’s good. And, there were some good things that happened.
1. Teachers and public health and social care workers finally got the public recognition they deserve. They were joined by other undervalued heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic: delivery drivers, cleaners, and supermarket workers.
2. Kindness has spread around the world and people came together many times and on different occasions: neighbours organised socially distanced parties and concerts, people bought supplies for their shielding or elderly neighbours, prepared meals for strangers, reached out to friends, family members or neighbours who were experiencing loneliness or isolation, children wrote letters to the elderly to curb loneliness, and fundraising has reached the new levels.
3. Birthdays and other special occasions became less about presents and more about connecting with loved ones.
4. Diversity and inclusion became more important than ever: Black Lives Matter became the biggest mass movement in history. Kamala Harris became the first female, first Black, first South Asian US Vice President.
5. Careers were reassessed and horizons broadened as a work-from-home revolution started.
6. Our priorities were re-established: health, family, relationships, compassion, bringing diverse people together, fostering communities, food waste and recovery, natural environment.
7. We avoided a Great Depression (for now, anyway).
8. Africa was declared free of polio.
9. Pollution has dropped. Because we are all “staying in”, levels of air pollutants are almost 50% down compared to 2019.
10. A Covid-19 vaccine was approved for use, giving us hope for the better 2021.
Transgender artist Yui Karlberg on her music, diverse family and culture.
With the transgender artist Waritsara Yui Karlberg from Bournemouth, UK, we talk about her music, diverse background, and being transgender in the UK.
Born in Sweden, she moved to England at the age of 7 as a speaker of Swedish and Thai only. The founder of the indie-pop trio Ethereal & The Elevated, Yui has lived as a man until she was 31 and today, she inspires others to follow their dreams.
Foreign people are more proactive: childhood secrets of the property expert Maximillian De Kment
Maximilian Ziegfried de Kment was born in Venezuela and arrived in England at the age of seven, speaking Spanish only. An inspiring story of a successful businessman who built his career based on determination, and his pride of being different.
A former professional rugby player and now, the owner of the estate agents Saxe Coburg and Lovett International in Dorset reveals his secrets in the World of Love campaign to introduce inspiring members of our diverse society.
How to raise bilingual kids: best tips and practical advice from a mum of multilingual children
Anna Hamilton is Polish who lives in Dorset, UK with her British husband and their four children who can fluently speak English, Polish, and Spanish. As part of the World of Love campaign, she shares her best tips and practical advice on how to raise bilingual and multilingual kids.
World of Love is a campaign to recognise the contributions made by the members of our culturally and linguistically diverse society and to introduce inspiring people from all paths of life from all over the world.
Everyone can be an inspiration: a community leader and a child who speaks two or more languages, an art creator who brings joy and hope to others and a company who sees diversity as a business opportunity. Regular people together with experts in medicine, business and sports personalities, artists alongside other professionals and experts will share their passion, knowledge, and skills to help us understand the different aspects of the diversity of the world.
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Don’t keep seeing yourself as a foreigner, says Chika Udezue, the Black and Minority Ethnic leader
With Mrs Chika Udezue, a spokesperson, the Black and Minority Ethnic prominent leader and a member of the Nigerian Community in Dorset at the World of Love we talk about living in another country as a foreigner.
Is it easy to settle down in a place where everyone around speaks another language and sometimes, also looks differently? What to do about your foreign accent? Should we adapt or should we hold onto our primary culture? The answers to these and other questions you will find in this interview.
Marcus Rashford joins forces with Burberry to support disadvantaged young people across the world
Marcus Rashford, Manchester United and England national team footballer and an activist to end child poverty has teamed up with Burberry to help UK youth organisations in Manchester, London, and charities with a global reach. The 22-year-old who received free school meals as a youngster growing up in Wythenshawe, wrote a moving letter to his 10-year-old self. A must to read by adults and young people.
Marcus Rashford’s letter to his younger self
I encourage you to dream, because sometimes dreams are all you will have. I encourage you to lay your head on the pillow and close your eyes tight and think of better days to come, because luckily for us, our dreams have come true. Would I be the Marcus Rashford you see stood in front of you today if it wasn’t for the hardship and struggle? Simple answer? No. You should never be ashamed to ask for help. Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose. Never drop your head in shame.
There have been many days that you have felt alone and, in this game we call football, there will be a few more to come. But your family and your community will never allow anyone to dim your light because that light is still needed to survive the darkest days. The noise your stomach has been making, will one day be replaced with the noise of crowds chanting your name. Buckle up little man, it’s going to be quite the ride.
Your community will prove to be the most special extension of your family. When you fall, which you will, there will always be neighbours and friends to catch you. There is no need to feel ashamed because they will catch you without judgment and comment. No questions asked. Feel the warmth of those around you and know that one day, you are going to have the platform to repay them. For a young boy who says so little, one day you will have a voice that speaks for many.
One day you will have a lot of things you never dreamt of owning, but never forget that stability and consistency are two of the most valuable things you will ever experience. The youth centres that you visit today on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, will prove to be central to all of the greatest gifts you receive in life your friendships, your discipline, your respect, and compassion for others.
One day you will have the opportunity to travel to lands you never knew existed, to hear languages so foreign, and experience culture so alien. Don’t ever be overwhelmed. Stand tall, with the Mancunian accent that will become so familiar to many. Your youth centre has taught you to celebrate difference. To celebrate those that don’t look or sound like you. And this is one of the greatest lessons you will learn, so hold on to it, as one day you will be stood alongside ten new allies whose only common language is that round ball that has become so important in your life. We do not point fingers, we never have. We wrap our arms around each other and tug each other up at times we are feeling low. Always remember that kindness is power.
The life lessons you will hold so close as an adult, are being taught right now within the four walls of that youth centre. The freedom and safety you are feeling, will one day be felt on a pitch much greater than you can imagine. Never take for granted this safe space as it plays such a big role in mum’s life. You might not be able to see it now, but her smile grows wide and the weight on her shoulders lessens every time you return home with a full belly. One day those football players you idolize will be trumped by a greater hero. A hero that goes by the name of mum.
There have been many days that you have felt lesser than others, but no more. Your voice, your stance, your family, your community, and friends, all matter. Whenever you feel like you have very little, know that there are always people willing to give. Just look at those doors wide open welcoming you in for a snack or a chat. If I had to ask one thing of you it would be this. Please, never go to bed feeling like you don’t have a role to play in this life because, believe me when I tell you, the possibilities are endless.