Leila & Nour
- From: 🇱🇧 Lebanon
- Ages: 29 & 30
- Languages Spoken: Levantine Arabic, French
- Current Location: Paris, France
- Child: Adam, age 2
Can you describe your family’s language background?
We’re both originally from Lebanon. Arabic is our native language, specifically Lebanese Arabic, but we are also fluent in English due to school, work, and international exposure. Both languages are part of our daily lives.
Which languages are you using, how and where, and how did you decide on that mix?
At home, we primarily speak Lebanese Arabic with Adam. We use English mainly when reading books, singing songs, and sometimes during playtime. We decided early on that Arabic should be his foundation, with English introduced naturally for broader exposure.
Why is teaching those languages important for you?
Arabic connects Adam to his cultural identity, family, and traditions. English is essential for future opportunities, especially considering global communication and education. We want him to be equally comfortable in both worlds.
When did you first decide to raise your child(ren) bilingually?
It was something we agreed on even before Adam was born. Growing up bilingual ourselves, we knew the advantages it could offer him.
Did you follow a specific strategy (e.g. OPOL, ML@H), or did it evolve naturally?
It evolved naturally, but we lean toward ML@H (Minority Language at Home) with a strong Arabic presence indoors and English sprinkled in through activities like reading and music.
What were your biggest concerns at the beginning — and how did those play out over time?
We were worried that English would take over too early, especially with media exposure. But by setting strong Arabic routines first, he’s now very comfortable switching between the two.
What helped you stay consistent in using both languages? What’s your routine?
Having routines really helped — like Arabic at mealtimes and during family conversations, English for bedtime stories and songs. We also choose Arabic shows and children’s audiobooks during the day.
Has your approach changed as your child got older?
Now that Adam is two, he’s more vocal. We started introducing slightly more English phrases naturally but still keeping Arabic dominant at home. We’ve also started labeling objects in both languages to boost vocabulary.
How do you handle resistance or when your child favours one language?
At this age, he sometimes repeats English words he hears from TV or songs. We gently rephrase in Arabic, making it feel natural instead of correcting him directly.
Have you experienced any moments of breakthrough or pride in their language development?
The first time Adam counted to ten in Arabic without help was such a proud moment for us! He also loves singing nursery rhymes in both languages, mixing verses — it’s adorable.
What role has extended family, or your community played in supporting (or challenging) your goals?
Our families have been very supportive. Grandparents mainly speak to Adam in Arabic, and even relatives who are more comfortable in French or English make an effort to keep Arabic strong around him.
Got a funny or unexpected story from your bilingual journey? We’d love to hear it.
Adam once proudly pointed at a banana and yelled “banana موز!” — half English, half Arabic — like it was the most normal thing in the world!
Have you ever felt pressure (internal or external) about your bilingual goals?
Yes, definitely internal pressure. We sometimes second-guess if we’re doing enough to keep both languages alive, especially when English feels so dominant in media and toys.
Do you feel like your child connects emotionally or culturally to both languages?
Yes. You can see his face light up when he recognises Arabic songs or stories. He also enjoys English storybooks and cartoons, but Arabic feels like “home” to him.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge?
Finding high-quality Arabic children’s content that is modern and engaging. A lot of resources feel outdated or aren’t very entertaining for young kids.
What has surprised you most in a positive way?
How quickly Adam understands that different people speak different languages. He already “code-switches” instinctively when he sees that someone speaks English.
What technology or other resources do you use to support language learning?
We use Arabic kids’ YouTube channels, bilingual flashcards, and story apps. Plus, a lot of singing — we made playlists with Arabic and English songs for car rides and playtime.
Have schooling or childcare settings helped or hindered the process?
So far, Adam is still mostly at home with us, but we’re carefully looking into bilingual preschool options where Arabic will still have a strong presence.
If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?
We would have introduced even more Arabic books and songs earlier — from day one — rather than waiting until he was closer to one year old.
What advice would you give to other parents just starting out?
Start strong in your home language from day one. Make it fun — through music, games, and daily life. Don’t stress about perfection; the most important thing is consistency and connection.