In my clinic, I often meet parents facing the same question. They grew up in Hong Kong or mainland China and speak Cantonese or Mandarin at home (which I’ll refer to as the home language). Their children are born in Australia, attend local schools, and speak English with their classmates.
Then the questions begin:
“Should I keep speaking our home language with my child, or should I switch to English so they can keep up at school?”
“Their home language isn’t very strong, and it feels like their English is developing more slowly too. Is this good for them?”
I completely understand these concerns. My own family speaks Cantonese at home. I also understand the pressure parents feel if their child isn’t speaking English fluently. This is a common experience among migrant families: you want to preserve your linguistic and cultural roots, but you’re afraid those very roots might become an obstacle as your child adapts to a new world.
But I want to reassure you—those roots are never an obstacle.
“Will Being Bilingual Confuse My Child?” — What the Research Actually Says
One of the most common concerns is that learning two languages at the same time will “confuse” children, leaving them unable to master either language well.
Fortunately, this concern is not supported by research.
Studies on children’s language development consistently show that the bilingual brain is not like a container with limited space, where adding one language pushes another out. In fact, the opposite is true.
Two languages can coexist without interfering with each other—they often strengthen one another.
Language learning is built around concepts. The concepts a child learns in their home language transfer to English, and the language intuition they develop in English can also enrich their ability to express themselves in their home language.
The only accurate statement is that bilingual children may have a slightly smaller vocabulary in each individual language during early childhood compared with monolingual children. However, when vocabulary across both languages is combined, their total vocabulary is generally comparable to—or even larger than—that of monolingual children.
Your Home Language Is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give Your Child
After many years working as a speech pathologist in Australia, I’ve supported numerous migrant families.
I’ve seen many parents become so worried about their child’s English that they start speaking English themselves—even though they aren’t fully comfortable with it.
Ironically, this often works against the child’s language development.
Research clearly shows that the language parents speak most naturally, richly, and emotionally is the best language for supporting their child’s development.
If you can tell stories, discuss feelings, ask thoughtful questions, and have meaningful conversations in your home language, then keep speaking it.
You’re not holding back your child’s English—you are building the foundation of their language development.
Your child will learn English at school.
But those bedtime conversations, family stories, shared laughter, and emotional connections in your home language are something school can never replace.
Step by Step: How Families Can Support Bilingual Development
Step 1: Continue Speaking Your Home Language at Home
Don’t worry that your child’s English will fall behind.
Providing a consistent home-language environment is one of the most valuable things you can do. School, friends, and the wider community will provide abundant English exposure. Your home language, however, is something only your family can provide.
Step 2: Fill the Home Language with Emotion
Language is about much more than memorising vocabulary or learning Chinese characters.
Sing songs together. Read stories. Play games. Say “I love you.”
The strength of a language lies not in how formal it is, but in the emotional connections it creates.
Step 3: Don’t Rush to Correct Every Mistake
When your child speaks your home language—even if they mix in English or make mistakes—respond first to what they’re trying to communicate.
Then gently model the correct expression.
For example, if your child says:
“I want to eat rice.”
You might reply:
“Yes, you’re hungry and you’d like to eat some rice. Let’s go and have dinner.”
Responding to the message is more important than correcting the language.
Step 4: Don’t Aim for Perfection
Language is part of everyday life—not an exam.
Code-switching, mixing English into conversations, or forgetting certain words are all perfectly normal parts of growing up bilingual.
Your goal shouldn’t be for your child to speak “perfect” Cantonese or Mandarin.
Your goal is for them to want to keep speaking your home language with you.
That is what strong roots look like.
A Final Thought
As migrant families, we often feel that language is a choice:
Should we choose our home language—or English?
In reality, they were never opposites.
Your home language is your child’s first window to the world.
English is the road that allows them to step confidently into it.
They need both.
Holding on to your language isn’t being stubborn—it’s being wise.
Because one day, when your child has grown up and can speak with their parents in the family language, read letters from home, or find comfort in familiar words while living far away, they will understand that those roots were planted by you.
About the Author
Chloe Wong
Chloe Wong is an immigrant mother and speech pathologist based in Melbourne. She is the founder of Blackburn Speech & Paediatric Therapy, a bilingual multidisciplinary clinic supporting children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Having worked closely with immigrant families for many years, Chloe believes that while grandparents and parents may differ in approach, their intention is the same — to give the next generation a better life.
Through this column, she brings together research-informed insights and practical strategies to build bridges between generations, helping love translate into meaningful, effective support for children.
Follow her on Instagram: @phd.speechie.mum