Debunking 6 Myths About Bilingual and Immersion English Learning for Babies and Toddlers

Jan 14

Thinking about raising a bilingual child is exciting, but it often comes with questions—and a lot of well-meaning, yet outdated, advice. Many parents wonder if introducing a second language, like English, too early will confuse their baby or delay their speech development.

The good news? Research overwhelmingly shows that the infant and toddler years are the perfect time to start. Young children's brains are uniquely wired for language acquisition. If you’re ready to introduce your child to the benefits of bilingualism, we’re here to debunk six common myths and set the record straight on English immersion for the youngest learners.

Myth 1: Bilingualism Confuses Children
Myth 2: Bilingual Kids Have Delayed Speech
Myth 3: It’s Better to Learn Languages One at a Time
Myth 4: They Can't Become Truly Fluent in Either Language
Myth 5: You Must Provide Equal Exposure to Both Languages for a Child to be Bilingual
Myth 6: It's Too Late to Start If You Missed Infancy

Myth 1: Bilingualism Confuses Children

This is perhaps the most persistent myth, but studies show the opposite is true. Children's brains are equipped to acquire multiple languages, and infants can differentiate between them from a very early age. As long as they are consistently exposed to and using a language, they will learn it.

Far from being confused, bilingual children often demonstrate complex cognitive processes earlier than their monolingual peers.

Metalinguistic Awareness: This is the understanding that language is a code—that words are separate from the objects they represent. Bilingual children develop this awareness earlier because they regularly hear different words for the same concepts. Panos Athanasopoulos, Professor of English Language and Linguistics at Lund University, explains that bilingual children will understand that “words are separate from their reference.” When asked a question like “Which word is bigger: caterpillar or train?” a bilingual child will give the correct answer at an earlier age than a monolingual child. This is because they routinely use different words to represent the same thing.

Mixing Words (Code-Switching): If you hear your child mixing the words of two languages within the same sentence (known as code-switching), don't panic. According to Emerge Pediatric Therapy, this is a completely normal behavior and not a sign of confusion. It’s actually a sophisticated behavior that shows they can navigate and switch between multiple linguistic systems.

Myth 2: Bilingual Kids Have Delayed Speech

Parents often worry that the brain is working harder to process two languages and that this will result in later speech. However, the fact is that bilingual children reach language milestones at the same time as monolinguals. They are not at a higher risk for language delays and often develop enhanced problem-solving skills.

In their paper published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers Loulia Kovelman, Stephanie A Baker and Laura-Ann Petitto cite over a dozen other academic studies that have all drawn this same conclusion, “Young bilingual children exposed to two languages from birth achieve each and every major linguistic milestone in their one language, on the same time table as their other language, and both languages proceed on the identical time table as observed in the monolingual child”.

As Babylonia lays out for us, the timeline for language acquisition remains consistent:

Language Milestones

Babbling (7-10 months)
Understanding words (9-12 months),
Producing first words (around 1 year),
Using 50 different words (around 2 years), and
Combining words into phrases (before 2 years).

Milestones specific to bilingual children:

Understanding words in both languages (from 13 months) and
Using separate grammatical systems for each language (around 3 years).

It’s Crucial to Count Total Vocabulary: When assessing your child's progress, remember that you must count the total words a child knows across both languages. The words "water" and "Acqua," for instance, count as two words, even if they refer to the same object. As Emerge Pediatric Therapy notes, while a bilingual child’s vocabulary in each single language may appear smaller, their total vocabulary across all languages is often the same or even larger.

Babylonia emphasizes that it is normal for one language to develop more quickly than the other in certain aspects. This does not signify a developmental delay; as long as the child reaches expected milestones in at least one of their languages, their linguistic development is considered within the norm.

Myth 3: It’s Better to Learn Languages One at a Time

Our brains are naturally wired to learn multiple languages simultaneously without confusion. There is no such thing as a "critical confusion period." There is no single "correct" way to learn a language, and the best approach will depend on the individual and their environment.

As stated by Stamford American International School and reinforced by the research of Loulia Kovelman, Stephanie A Baker and Laura-Ann Petitto, the belief that children need a firm grasp of one language before being introduced to a second is inaccurate. In fact, the earlier children are exposed to multiple languages, the better. Early bilingual education taps into a critical period in cognitive development when language learning is most effortless, allowing young children to pick up pronunciation, rhythm, and grammar through natural exposure.

Myth 4: They Can't Become Truly Fluent in Either Language

Millions of children around the world become fluent in two or more languages, clearly disproving this myth. Bilingual children develop rich vocabularies in both languages.

Remember, it is normal for fluency to be unequal. Most bilinguals have a dominant language, and this proficiency can change over time depending on new environments, education, or social circles, according to Emerge Pediatric Therapy.

However, communication is the primary goal, and a child who can effectively communicate in two languages is successfully bilingual, even if they are not equally fluent in both.

Myth 5: You Must Provide Equal Exposure to Both Languages for a Child to be Bilingual

The good news is that parents don't need to stress over precise 50/50 exposure. Equal exposure isn't necessary; the key is consistent, rich input in both languages.

It’s completely normal and acceptable for a child to have more words related to home in one language and more words related to school or play in another. According to Emerge Pediatric Therapy, how often the child is exposed to and uses the language is the most critical factor influencing proficiency.

Myth 6: It's Too Late to Start If You Missed Infancy

It’s true that the earlier one starts learning another language, the better. The Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University states that the brain is more influenced by experience in a child’s earliest years, and the brain’s ability to adapt—known as brain plasticity—declines as we age. The connections that form early provide a strong foundation for the connections that form later.

However, it is never too late to benefit from bilingualism. While there are undeniable advantages to starting early, introducing a second language later still brings significant cognitive and social benefits.

However, Babylonia highlights that while young learners may have cognitive advantages, the quality and quantity of language exposure are crucial factors influencing success. Furthermore, peer-to-peer communication is vital for language practice, supporting the development of communicative competence even when starting later.

The Takeaway

The early years are a unique window of opportunity where children can absorb language naturally and effortlessly. Introducing English immersion to your baby or toddler won't confuse them, delay their speech, or prevent true fluency. Instead, you are giving them a foundation for enhanced cognitive development, cultural connection, and life-long communication skills.

**Read more about the benefits in our blog post** **Bilingual Brains: The Benefits of an English Nursery and Preschool**.

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Liz Phillips