What Language/s Should You Teach Your Children?

I had an interesting debate about language with some friends this weekend. We talked about if immigrants should teach their children their native language and if they do, what language should they teach if the parents do not share a native language. People had different opinions about the subject but the two dominant camps were

• You should definitely teach one of the native languages. Which language to teach depends on culture and what both parents can agree on. 
• Your children will not belong to your native country and therefore do not need to learn any of the native languages. It is more useful to teach them a language that is commonly used such as Spanish in the US. 

This conversation got me thinking about the importance of language and if it really matters. This is what I found out...

• Language is not only a communication tool but a key element in social integration and cultural development. 
• The lack of language makes one feel inadequate even when they have many strengths. 
• Language gives people a sense of identity. 
• Language is the beginning of understanding cultural heritage. 
• Language can strengthen family ties.

The good news is kids can learn more than one language at a time. It is very important that children can communicate with friends in their present environment so it is important that they learn the language of their current country. The goal may not be to teach the children to speak the native language fluently but to help them communicate with their relatives in their native country. Immigrant parents definitely have a hard job because they need to teach their children to adapt to a culture they did not grow up in and also have some ties to a culture that their children will not grow up in. Each family has to weigh their options and make this decision. My encouragement to you is no matter which way you choose to go, make the decision early in the child's life.

Nelson Mandela said “if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head " but if you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”.

Sources: 
http://elsawyllie.blogspot.com/2009/02/importance-of-language.html
http://nasrul11.blogspot.com/2007/05/immigrants-suffer-from-losing-their.html
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/settlingincanada/parenting/article/8172

We would love to hear your thoughts on what has worked in your family.