Could My Child with a Disability Become Bilingual?

By Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD

TAKING CARE OF THE DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LOVED ONE WITH DISABILITIES CAN BE OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES. SO WHEN SUDDENLY APPROACHED ABOUT EXEMPTING A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY FROM TAKING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT SCHOOL, MANY PARENTS IMMEDIATELY AGREE IT’S BEST TO “OPT OUT.” HOWEVER, THAT MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE THE CASE.

Here are 10 ideas to consider before deciding against enrolling your child in a foreign language class at school.

1.

Who makes the decision?

Some parents never involve their child with a disability in the decision-making process of deciding if a foreign language should be added to their daily schedule. They simply inform the school they don’t want their child enrolled in a foreign language class and the school complies. Your child must have a say in the discussion. You may be surprised; they might want to try taking a foreign language course at school with their friends.

2.

Pre-conceived notions

Some parents with children with a disability “assume” learning a second language would be “too difficult” for their child. After all, if they are struggling with their native language and learning how to read, why would you want to “burden” your child with a disability further by adding a foreign language to their day? However, some children with disabilities excel at learning a foreign language. It should never be assumed that learning a foreign language is too difficult for individuals with disabilities and exempting them is assisting them. Peers without exceptional needs don’t always excel at foreign languages; yet they are all still given the opportunity to attempt to learn them. After being involved in a foreign language class, if your child decides they don’t want to advance further that becomes their choice. Don’t limit your child with a disability out of fear that they may fail.

3.

Auditing a class

Some students with disabilities experience anxiety with having a new course added to their daily schedule. They may not want to fully enroll in a foreign language class out of fear of failure. In addition, they may be uncertain about which foreign language class they want to study. Talk to the educators at your child’s school. See if it is possible for your child with a disability to audit a foreign language course for a couple of weeks before deciding on enrolling. This will give your child an opportunity to get to know the teacher and the students in the class better and feel more comfortable in the new classroom environment.

4. Exposure to a new culture

Learning any foreign language is an excellent way to become exposed to a new culture. Studying a foreign language is more than just learning to speak, read, and write the language. It is about understanding the culture and customs of the people associated with the language. Your child will get to study the history of the language, the holidays associated with people who speak the language, the foods they enjoy, their various customs and religions, etc. All of this can assist your child with having a broader worldview.

5. Expanding their social circle

Many children with disabilities experience concerns with expanding their social circle. Learning a foreign language may assist them with interacting with native speakers of the lan- guage at their school. For example, the school may have a French, Spanish, German, or another language club they could join. Acquiring even a basic understanding of a foreign language may assist them with interacting with someone in the neighborhood or community who speaks that language. Lifelong friendships could develop out of all these interactions.

6. Career opportunities

Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have struggled to find meaningful employment. Many individuals with disabilities encounter blatant discrimination in the workforce. Nowadays, more employers are advertising for bilingual workers. A child with a disability has a much better chance of finding meaningful employment if they are bilingual or have a basic understanding of a second language. Having your child with a disability acquire a foreign language could eventually lead to a higher salary rate and wider job selection in their future.

7. Sign language

Not all foreign languages are verbally spoken. American Sign Language is the third most utilized foreign language in the United States. It is a visual language. Many students with disabilities may struggle with learning a foreign language that is verbal. However, they may excel with learning a form of sign language. Often students who are dyslexic may struggle with foreign languages such as French or Spanish. They may attend high schools or university where graduation depends on having acquired foreign language credit. Research has shown students who are dyslexic tend to be strong visual learners. Many who often fail at learning a verbal foreign language excel at learning Sign Language.

8. Travel opportunities

Students at high school level are often exposed to travel opportunities when learning a foreign language. They may take a trip overseas together with a teacher chaperoning them. They may continue to study the same foreign language while attending university. Advancing their foreign language skills could lead to a travel abroad situation for them. These opportunities can help shape and mold your child into a functional and well-rounded adult who can contribute to the community in new ways.

9. Empowerment

Involvement in a foreign language will increase your child’s perspective of the world. It will allow them to be challenged by their own pre-conceived notions of life for people who live in different countries and speak a different language. They can be exposed to what life for individuals with disabilities is like in those countries in comparison to their own country. It may give them insight into some of the privileges they may be enjoying as a student with a disability in their home country as opposed to other foreign countries. Learning a new foreign language also allows them the unique opportunity to make mistakes with the language, witness others making mistakes, and watch how others model correcting their errors.

10. Self-esteem

Learning and being exposed to a foreign language will not only improve the thinking skills, memory, and listening skills of your child, but their self-esteem too. Adding a new skill can help your child feel more competent and capable. As their self-esteem continues to improve, you may find an increase in their self-confidence, creativity, and social awareness.

Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm works with students with disabilities in the Northwest Arctic. He recently retired as an Assistant Director of Special Education for a public school district. He is also an Associate Faculty Member with the University of Phoenix and a Special Graduate Faculty member at the University of Kansas. He has Bachelor level degrees in English and Special Education. He holds Master level degrees in Counseling, Special Education, and School Administration. His doctorate degree is from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. His postgraduate degrees are in Positive Behavior Supports and Autism Spectrum Disorders. He has worked for the past 38 years with students between the ages of three and 21 with disabilities and various medical needs in both school and community-based settings.