Harmonious Bilingualism: A Chat with Dr. Annick De Houwer

Harmonious Bilingualism: A Chat with Dr. Annick De Houwer

Why do some children who grow up hearing two languages only use one? Our guest, Dr. Annick De Houwer [https://www.habilnet.org/members/?accordion=1&item=1#Annick-De-Houwer], has been researching this question for years. De Houwer is a professor of language acquisition and multilingualism at the University of Erfurt in Germany and the founder of the Harmonious Bilingualism Network (HaBilNet) [https://www.habilnet.org/]. We spoke to her about her work, bilingual language development, and what she calls harmonious bilingualism. [https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/annick-DH-663x837-1.jpeg]© Nadia Frantsen, University of OsloDe Houwer has conducted extensive research in the field of bilingual acquisition and language development. Her 1990 book “The acquisition of two languages from birth” [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/acquisition-of-two-languages-from-birth/6E48D09607839B3F382F99C021FAD0BE] is considered pioneering work in bilingual acquisition. In addition to her linguistic research, she also examines the socio-emotional aspects of early bilingualism. De Houwer introduced the concept of harmonious bilingual development in 2006. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES * Harmonious Bilingualism Network (HaBilNet) [http://www.habilnet.org] * Learning how to read and write in two languages [https://www.habilnet.org/learning-how-to-read-and-write-in-two-languages/], Janice Nakamura, HaBilNet.org * Harmonious Bilingualism: Well-being for families in bilingual settings [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334274358_Harmonious_Bilingualism_Well-being_for_families_in_bilingual_settings], Annick De Houwer, July 2019 * Why do so many children who hear two languages speak just a single language? [https://www.habilnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20DeHouwerZIFms.pdf], Annick De Houwer, 2020

Cuéntamelo: Maleta Books

[https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Pink-and-Yellow-Woman-Portraits-Comedy-Podcast-Cover-1024x1024.png][https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/426B6A55-F8B2-4015-A80F-87BCC9CA538F.jpg] Alicia Sevillano BarjaWelcome to the first episode of Cuéntamelo: Your Bilingual Story, a series by Entre Dos in which we speak to parents, small business owners, authors, and others about their bilingual life. These episodes may be shorter than our regular episodes and a bit more personal. Today’s inaugural episode is different than what you’re accustomed to because it’s entirely in Spanish. Our first guest is Alicia Sevillano Barja, founder of Maleta Books [https://www.learningspanish.ca/], a bookshop in Ontario, Canada specialized in Spanish language books. We spoke with Alicia about her bilingual family, the origins of Maleta Books, and her current top three favorite children’s books.

Generation Zero

In our first episode of 2021, we had a conversation with author Sabreet Kang Rajeev about her book, Generation Zero: Reclaiming My Parents’ American Dream [https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Zero-Reclaiming-Parents-American-ebook/dp/B08N6ZKC3T/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sabreet+kang+rajeev&qid=1605475025&sr=8-1], which tackles her family’s immigration story in America. [https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sabreet-Kang-Rajeev-Headshot-898x1024.jpg]Identity and place can sometimes be abstract notions. They define who we are while also remaining elusive. In the process of integrating two or more cultures we are coming to terms with the things we’re ok with, the things we’re not ok with, and the things that are inevitable. In Generation Zero, [https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Zero-Reclaiming-Parents-American-ebook/dp/B08N6ZKC3T/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sabreet+kang+rajeev&qid=1605475025&sr=8-1] Sabreet takes us through her struggles while also keeping her own parent’s experience in perspective. It’s a fascinating dance that many of us can relate to. Sabreet is a first-generation Indian American of Sikh descent. She’s a full-time social-science researcher and holds an MA in sociology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and BA in sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently completing her doctorate at the University of Baltimore. To continue the conversation, join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @entredospodcast.

Parenting with an accent: A conversation with writer Masha Rumer

Raising children with two languages and cultures may sometimes feel like a constant negotiation between the two. In this episode, writer Masha Rumer [https://www.masharumer.com/] talked to her about her experience raising English-Russian bilingual children in the U.S. [https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/masharumer_headshot-1024x723.jpg]Masha RumerMasha lives in the Bay Area, where she writes about parenting and the immigrant experience. She is currently writing a book called Parenting with an Accent, which will be published by Beacon Press in 2021. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE My Kids Can’t Sing Along to Sesame Street, But They Know Our Family’s Culture [https://www.parents.com/Bilingual/my-kids-cant-sing-along-to-sesame-street-but-they-know-our-familys-culture/] by Masha Rumer, Parents Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability [http://bilingualmonkeys.com/maximize-your-childs-bilingual-ability-book/] by Adam Beck Bilingual: Life and Reality [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674066137] by Francois Grosjean

Dual Language Programs in the Pandemic: The story of Naperville 203.

In the past few weeks, the topic of the 2020-21 school year has reached a fever pitch, with good reason. As we pay close attention to the discussions surrounding PPE, social distancing, hybrid and virtual models, one thing that seems to be missing from most discussions is efforts to ensure continuity in the many dual-language programs across the nation. This is why we spoke with Rosa Campos, one of the organizers of Save Dual Language in Naperville, IL. [https://saveduallanguageinnaperville.com/] The campaign is advocating for the dual language program to meet the language and cultural needs of its dual-language students, whether it be from a distance or in person. [https://entredospodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Maperville-576x1024.jpg]A few days after we recorded our interview with Rosa, she sent us an update. The Naperville school district will offer specialized programs, like dual language, for all students. Congratulations to the organizers and most of all to the Naperville student body! The Save Dual Language in Naperville [https://saveduallanguageinnaperville.com/] campaign website will remain live to serve as a resource for other school communities that are experiencing changes in their dual-language program. You can also follow them on Twitter here [https://twitter.com/saveDLin203].