Linguist Rikker Dockum on Raising Multilingual Kids (S4.E56)

Greg interviews repeat guest Rikker Dockum about the ups
and downs of raising bilingual children, beginning with an update
on (now Dr) Rikker's life back in the US - including his own two
kids, both products of two cultures. 


Next, Rikker segways into some common myths and truths
about language acquisition. First, he dispels the idea that a
parent needs to have a high level of fluency in a language to
avoid hurting a child's ability to learn it. In fact, kids are so
adapted to learning languages that any exposure, even imperfect,
is helpful. Second, Rikker discusses the 'critical period' of
language learning for children, something this is true but
subject to much debate about its depth and extent. Greg chimes in
with his own experiences raising a bilingual son in
Thailand. 


The guys move on to discuss many other language issues,
such as how to motivate children, the difference between spoken
acquisition and learning how to read and write, techniques for
getting kids to focus on language lessons, and mixing multiple
languages together. 


Listen in for a quite broad discussion of a common issue
facing expats in cross-cultural marriages. 


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