In today’s multicultural world, raising a bilingual child is more common – and more powerful – than ever. In fact, according to the 2021 Australian Census, 5.8 million people (22.8%) speak a language other than English at home, up from 4.9 million in 2016 (ABS, 2022).

But with this rise in multilingual households, many parents wonder:

“Will learning two languages delay my child’s speech?”

Let’s set the record straight. At LEAP Centre, we support children learning one, two, or more languages – and the research is clear:

🚫 Bilingualism Does NOT Cause Speech Delays

Contrary to common myths, exposure to two languages does not delay speech or language development. Bilingual children typically reach the same language milestones as monolingual children – just across two languages instead of one.

However, just like in monolingual children, some bilingual children may have speech or language difficulties – and when they do, the delay will appear in both languages.

🧠 How Do Children Become Bilingual?

Children may learn two languages in one of two ways:

  • Simultaneously: They learn both languages from birth (e.g. one from each parent).
  • Sequentially: They learn one language first, and are introduced to the second later (e.g. at preschool).

Both are completely normal – and both can lead to successful bilingualism.

📊 What Language Development Looks Like in Bilingual Children

  • Silent period: Children may go through a quiet phase as they process a new language. This is normal.
  • Expected milestones:
  • Around 12 months: First meaningful words
  • Around 2 years: Combining two words (e.g. “more juice,” “go park”) – the same milestone we expect in monolingual children
  • Code-switching: Mixing words from both languages in one sentence is typical and not a sign of confusion.

🔍 Myth Busting

❌ Myth: Bilingualism causes language delays
🟢 Truth: Bilingual children develop language at the same pace as monolingual peers. If a delay exists, it’s due to an underlying communication difficulty – not the presence of two languages.

❌ Myth: Bilingualism confuses children
🟢 Truth: Mixing languages (code-switching) is a natural and healthy part of bilingual development. It shows flexible thinking and a growing vocabulary across languages.

❌ Myth: Bilingualism slows brain development
🟢 Truth: Research shows the opposite. Bilingualism can improve:

  • Cognitive flexibility
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Working memory
  • Executive function
  • Metalinguistic awareness (understanding how language works)

🌏 Cultural Benefits of Bilingualism

Language is deeply connected to culture, identity, and family. Bilingualism helps children:

  • Connect with extended family (e.g. grandparents)
  • Participate in cultural traditions and events
  • Build a strong sense of identity and pride
  • Gain empathy and cultural understanding

🧡 Tips for Supporting Your Bilingual Child at Home

  • Speak your strongest language: Use the language you’re most comfortable in. Children benefit from rich, fluent input.
  • Expose your child to both languages in meaningful ways – through books, songs, stories, and conversations.
  • Don’t be afraid of “mixing” – code-switching is normal and healthy.
  • Celebrate both languages and make them part of everyday family life.

🚩 When to Seek Help from a Speech Pathologist

If your child:

  • Hasn’t said any clear words by 15 months
  • Isn’t combining two words by 2 years
  • Has trouble understanding or expressing themselves
  • Struggles with both languages, not just one

…it’s worth checking in with a speech pathologist. Early support makes a big difference.

👩‍⚕️ How LEAP Centre Can Help

At LEAP Centre in Frenchs Forest, we support bilingual and multilingual families every day. Our team of speech pathologists can:

  • Assess speech and language across both languages
  • Identify whether a true delay exists
  • Provide home strategies and therapy tailored to your child’s needs and your family’s language background

📞 Contact us today to book a consultation or learn more about our services.

Let’s help your child thrive in every language they speak.

📚 References:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Cultural Diversity of Australia. ABS
  • Marian, V., & Shook, A. (2012). The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual. Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science. PMC Article