BellaOnline Forums Education Preschool Education Multilingual Families

Hello everyone,
I have already posted this in another forum but maybe someone here is able to give me advice.
A good friend of mine has recently had their first baby. The father's native language is Spanish, the mother's native language is French and they're both living in Ireland (like myself) so they're speaking English at work.
They're a bit at a loss about what should be the 1st language for their child. Between themselves they speak both French and Spanish, so I suppose the natural thing to do would be to speak both with the baby as well. However, he'll have to learn English as well!
Does anyone here have any experience with multilingual children/families? Would 3 languages be too difficult and confusing for a child? What about when they start school?
I know some people who grew up using 2 languages and almost all of them have problems with grammar/spelling in both languages.
Anyone with experience or maybe some reading tips please help! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Thank you.
B.

Babies are incredibly fast learners and I bet if they speak all 3 to the baby, s/he will be fluent in all three by the age of four. What a great start, eh?

If three is too much to handle the baby will let them know and only pick up on one or two. Babies can do that without our help <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Where I live the two main languages are Spanish and English and the majority of children speak both languages. I think they are at a much better advantage than me and my kids, who only speak one.

meg

Thanks, Meg - that's encouraging!
Many people have told me and my friends the same thing. And you're right, I think it's an incredible advantage to grow up bi- or multilingual. I envy everyone who has this chance - I grew up with only one language and now speak two fluently but it took ages to learn. How much easier it is to grow up with two!
Thanks for your feedback!
B.