Education & OpportunitiesAnswered
Should My Child Learn Yoruba, Igbo, Twi, Swahili or Amharic? Teaching Kids Your Language Abroad
Many children of Africans abroad understand their parents’ language but cannot speak it. How do you raise kids who speak your language abroad?
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Tokunbo Central’s answer: parents who succeeded share a few simple habits.
- Speak it at home every day: children learn what they hear. Many families use “home language at home, English at school”.
- Start early, but it is never too late.
- Make it fun: songs, folktales, cartoons and video calls with grandparents. See our African folktales for story ideas.
- Weekend and online classes: community language schools run by associations, churches and mosques exist in many cities.
- Both parents matter: if parents speak different languages, each can use their own with the child.
- Do not shame mistakes: praise effort so children keep trying.
- Visit home when you can; even a few weeks boosts confidence.
Your turn: which language are you teaching your kids, and what has worked best?
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