Consider the following pointers:-Is the refusal only a temporary whim? Does your child cooperate most of the time but refuses to speak Chinese on selected occasions? Trace back to the times when Chinese is spoken and shut off. Look if there are patterns. If [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] you don see patterns, maybe it is similar to a temper tantrum. Kids have their own share of temper tantrums. It still is a problem, but a short term problem that needs a solution.-Could you be breaking your own rules? If a child sees you breaking [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] your own rule and speaking another language when you aren supposed to, this can contribute to your child stubborn behavior.-Are you with other non-Chinese speakers?
Some kids can be comfortable speaking Chinese even if they are with people who do not speak the language. Some [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] children are naturally inclined to use the same language as the people they are with for respect, to not make other people uncomfortable hearing a language they do not understand. -Do you ask your child to how off?her Chinese? The ilingual Family book?notes that children they have spoken to detest having to demonstrate their other language in front of visitors or relatives (such as oney, say something in Chinese?
Children find it unnatural and embarrassing. The book also says that children think this showing off ay be the only disadvantage to being bilingual?-Does your child understand Chinese but cannot speak it? This is called eceptive bilingual,?when a child can understand the language but cannot speak it. A lot of bilinguals are like this. It is unfair to say that your child is refusing to speak it when in truth, it is how [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] the child capabilities truly are. Parents can address this situation by 1) accepting the child capability and preference, or 2) if the child really wants to transition to speaking Chinese and learn to speak Chinese , arranging for lessons that accommodate the child needs and capabilities.
Some kids can be comfortable speaking Chinese even if they are with people who do not speak the language. Some [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] children are naturally inclined to use the same language as the people they are with for respect, to not make other people uncomfortable hearing a language they do not understand. -Do you ask your child to how off?her Chinese? The ilingual Family book?notes that children they have spoken to detest having to demonstrate their other language in front of visitors or relatives (such as oney, say something in Chinese?
Children find it unnatural and embarrassing. The book also says that children think this showing off ay be the only disadvantage to being bilingual?-Does your child understand Chinese but cannot speak it? This is called eceptive bilingual,?when a child can understand the language but cannot speak it. A lot of bilinguals are like this. It is unfair to say that your child is refusing to speak it when in truth, it is how [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] the child capabilities truly are. Parents can address this situation by 1) accepting the child capability and preference, or 2) if the child really wants to transition to speaking Chinese and learn to speak Chinese , arranging for lessons that accommodate the child needs and capabilities.