This insightful, practical book can be used as a stand-alone guide for families on their language journey, or as an accompaniment to the author’s successful seminars for families and schools. Learn from the author’s extensive experience of helping and advising families on how to raise their children as successful bilinguals and multilinguals.

Does your family or community speak more than one language? Do you wonder how to help your children successfully learn or keep those languages? Do you want your children to have the gift of bilingualism and aren’t sure where to start – or how to keep going?

Every multilingual family has unique language needs. Bilingual Families is a guide for you and your family. It combines academic research with practical advice to cover the essential elements in successful bilingual and multilingual development. Use this book to:

• Learn about language goals – and how to set them
• Create a 'living' family language plan that develops and grows with your family
• Learn how to talk about multilingualism with your children and other key people in your children's life, like teachers and relatives
• Recognise when you might need further support

An indispensable guide for your family’s language journey.

Acknowledgements and Thanks

Introduction: About the Book

The Structure of the Book

Chapter 1: Demystifying Bilingualism
The Case for Bilingualism
Moving from Fiction to Fact

Chapter 2: Family Language Planning
Set Your Goals
Creating a Family Language Plan

Chapter 3: Supporting your Family Language Plan
Conversations with Your Children
Conversations with Other People
Know When to Get Help

Concluding Remarks

Glossary of Terms

Appendix A: Sample Family Language Plan

Appendix B: School Planner 

Bibliography

Index