How to help your children become confident multilingual speakers 

But first, why?  

Being multilingual opens up a world of career opportunities by making you more employable and connecting you to global options. It gives you an edge in many fields, such as tourism, media, education, healthcare and social services. For example, tourism workers who speak multiple languages can better serve travellers from around the globe, while teachers can use their language skills to work with students from diverse backgrounds and in different countries.  

Beyond jobs, multilingualism improves memory, problem-solving and adaptability — skills that are invaluable as the workplace changes. Overall, knowing more than one language helps you grow your career, earn more and build meaningful connections with people.  

So, how can parents, whose families speak different languages or mostly English, help their children develop these skills? We share some smart strategies. 

The early-start advantage  

Children are born with an amazing ability to hear about 800 different language sounds, which is far more than most adults can pick up. This natural ability means that starting to learn multiple languages early gives them a big advantage. When you speak your mother tongue or any other language to your child from the very beginning, you help them build strong speaking skills.  

Up to the age of six, their brains are specifically wired to learn language, so adding other languages through fun activities makes this easy and enjoyable. Starting early doesn’t just help with speaking; it also boosts thinking skills and helps kids connect with their culture. Every little bit your young child learns will help them grow into confident, skilled adults who can succeed in a diverse world.  

Say it, sing it, play it! 

 Making language learning fun and exciting helps children stay interested and enjoy the process. Children learn best when they play and are surrounded by the languages in ways that connect to their daily lives and culture.  

Reading stories or folktales in languages like isiXhosa or Afrikaans brings the language to life and makes learning feel natural. Playing games (like Umdlalo Wami Womzimba, which teaches the different parts of the body in isiZulu and helps them practise asking and answering basic questions), turns learning into an interactive and fun experience.  

Singing traditional songs or listening to music in other languages helps them remember words while enjoying rhythm and melody. Cartoons or children’s TV shows, with subtitles if needed, also build understanding in an enjoyable way. 

Tools like the Mzanzi Kids app for multilingual language learning makes it even easier to explore South African languages through interactive activities. When learning feels fun and connected to real life, children develop a strong love for language that grows with them.  

One person, one language 

A simple and effective way to raise multilingual kids is by using the one person, one language (OPOL) method. It works well in South African households where the parents, grandparents or caregivers all speak different languages.  

The idea is easy: each person speaks just one language to the child all the time. So, if you speak Sesotho and your partner speaks isiXhosa, you both use your own language when talking to your child. This helps them tell the difference between the two languages and get regular exposure to both.  

It also makes learning feel natural and part of everyday life, helping your child grow up confident and connected. 

Exposure to multilingual environments  

Take advantage of South Africa’s rich linguistic diversity! Children naturally hear, and can learn, multiple languages through everyday experiences at school, in the community and through media. Social interactions not only build language skills but also strengthen cultural identity.  

Enroll your child in a creche, playgroup or school that actively supports multilingualism, especially those that offer several South African languages as part of their curriculum. Also arrange playdates with friends who speak the target language or visit cultural spaces. These real-life experiences give your child valuable chances to hear and practise languages in natural and meaningful ways.  

The language-culture connection  

Experiencing a language in its cultural setting helps children develop fluency and stay motivated by linking language learning to real-life moments.  

South Africa offers many places where kids can hear and use different languages. For example, if you want your child to learn isiZulu, visiting Shakaland (a cultural village in KwaZulu-Natal) provides fun activities where children can explore Zulu traditions and daily life. They can take part in activities like dancing, listening to stories, making beads and playing games. While doing so, they hear isiZulu spoken by guides and get to practise speaking a little themselves, or just get to know where the words come from. This natural immersion helps a child not only learn the language but understand its meaning within the culture.  

Taking your child to visit regions where a specific language is widely spoken, like Mpumalanga for siSwati or the Free State for Sesotho, deepens their understanding of both the language and its context. Planning trips to festivals or cultural events (such as the National Arts Festival in Makhanda) allows them to enjoy plays and other artforms in different languages.  

Connecting your child to SA’s diverse cultures and languages also builds up their knowledge of our country and appreciation for its rich heritage.  

Be consistent  

Consistency is key when it comes to learning a language, and it’s normal for children to mix languages at first; that’s just part of how bilingualism develops. Patience is essential for long-term success. Even when progress feels slow or your child switches between languages, create a steady and supportive learning environment.  

You can gently encourage the target language by playfully pretending not to understand when they use the wrong language. Building simple daily routines like bedtime stories, songs or mealtime conversations in the target language provides natural, consistent exposure.  

Celebrating small wins, like learning a new word, phrase or song, will boost their motivation and confidence. Praising effort over perfection keeps the experience positive and fun. Remember to be patient with your child — and yourself — because any kind of learning is a journey of ups and downs. However, your steady support will help your child become fluent.