Preparing for Summer Holidays as a Multilingual Family
Nurturing languages with ease and joy during the summer break
Dr. Karin Martin & Dr. Karen Rose
Summer holidays are an exciting time for families, but for those raising children in bilingual or multilingual environments, they also present a unique opportunity. Together with Dr. Karen Rose, an experienced speech and language therapist and researcher, we created this guide for families navigating the use of different languages at home, at school, and in the wider community. It’s not about adding pressure or formal lessons; rather, it’s about discovering natural, enjoyable ways to keep all those languages alive and thriving during the long break.
Throughout the post, we’ll share practical ideas grounded in research, showing how to weave language into everyday summer experiences. We’ll explore why literacy in all languages is essential for balanced development, how connecting language learning to culture makes it more meaningful, the key role of social interaction in keeping languages vibrant, and the positive impact of emotional connection on motivation and language use.
By the end, you’ll have a toolbox of ideas that can turn your family’s summer into a rich, multilingual adventure, keeping the languages your children speak at the heart of your shared experiences.
👉 We have a practical, printable checklist for you at the end. It is designed to be stuck on the fridge and ticked off as you go. If you are short on time, you can jump straight to the checklist here.
First Step: Choose the language/s
Decide which language or languages to focus on during the summer. You might decide to focus on just one language, or perhaps two or even more.
Whether it’s your home language, a school language, or a new language your child is learning, the choice is entirely yours. The key is to adapt your plans to what feels natural and achievable for your family, ensuring that language growth remains a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Second Step: Implement creative and practical ideas.
Language & Literacy
Research shows that developing literacy in multiple languages not only strengthens language skills but also builds confidence and a sense of identity. Summer is the perfect time to make reading and writing a natural part of daily life, away from the pressures of school. In this section, you’ll discover simple yet fun ways to nurture your child’s language and literacy skills.
Read favourite books and swap with friends
Make homemade storybooks, comics, or journals
Label objects around the house in different languages
Write postcards, shopping lists, or emails to family members
Visit the library for free books and storytelling sessions
Start a reading challenge in each chosen language (sticker chart to monitor progress)
⭐ Help your child stay motivated! Download our printable sticker chart to track progress, celebrate milestones, and make learning fun.
Culture & Creativity
Language and culture are deeply intertwined, and connecting language learning to cultural experiences makes it more meaningful and memorable. This summer, why not embrace activities that celebrate your family’s heritage or introduce new cultures? Whether through food, music, stories, or creative projects, these experiences can strengthen both cultural understanding and language skills. Plus, they’re a lot of fun for the whole family!
Watch TV shows, cartoons, or YouTube videos in different languages
Cook traditional meals from different cultures
Listen to music
Share family stories and traditions
Enjoy creative projects like scrapbooking about a country
Create family plays, videos, or puppet shows in different languages
People
Social interaction is one of the most powerful drivers of language growth. Research consistently shows that children learn and retain languages more effectively when they can use them with others in real-life situations. Summer offers countless opportunities to connect with friends, family, and the community; whether through casual playdates, multicultural picnics, or even holiday jobs for older children. These interactions can help children feel motivated and confident in using different languages, while also reinforcing the social bonds that make language learning meaningful.
Arrange informal playdates with friends or neighbours
Find a virtual pen pal to exchange short letters, postcards, or drawings
Organise a multicultural family picnic with dishes and songs from different languages
Bring books or simple games when taking children to work or errands
Older children or teens can work in holiday camps/ babysit/work in restaurants
Involve siblings, family friends, or community members to practise languages informally
Teach each other: parents can model heritage language use, and children can help parents practise societal or school languages
Travel Games
Playful learning is one of the best ways to keep children engaged with languages. Summer is the perfect time to introduce simple, fun games that make language practice feel like play. Here are a few ideas that blend movement, creativity, and laughter while reinforcing language skills.
Create a scavenger hunt with words in the target language, like “find something red”.
Pick up a book or comic in the local language, or borrow a bilingual one from the library.
Play audiobooks, songs, or podcasts in the target language during trips or quiet moments.
Set a fun mini goal each day, like ordering food, learning new words, or talking to a local.
Cook a dish from a country where the language is spoken, using a recipe video in the target language.
Make a "word of the day" jar for each supported language
Using Technology
Technology can be a powerful ally in supporting multilingualism, offering tools and activities that keep children engaged and motivated. Whether it’s connecting with friends on Zoom, exploring new vocabulary with translation apps, or playing computer games that develop problem-solving and storytelling skills, these digital resources can make language learning both interactive and enjoyable during the summer.
Create stories or games with free AI tools
Meet with friends/family on Zoom
Follow multilingual or cultural social media pages
Play music, podcasts, or short videos during daily routines
Use free translation apps to discover and collect new words
Play computer games that encourage reading, problem solving, or storytelling
Explore free or low-cost language learning apps designed for your child’s age
Building Confidence and Emotional Connection
Emotional connection is a key driver of language growth. When children feel supported and encouraged, they’re more likely to use their languages confidently. This section focuses on simple ways to create a safe and loving environment for language use, from talking about feelings to allowing flexible language use during transitions.
Talk about feelings, not just activities, in each language
Remember languages grow best with encouragement
Allow mixing of languages without stress
Focus on connection and active participation. Try taking turns choosing the activities
Third Step: Download your checklist and enjoy the multilingualism journey!
Celebrate every word, every accent, every moment: multilingualism is a journey, not a race. Make space for joy, connection, and curiosity along the way.
Watch your child grow in confidence as they navigate different languages and cultures. This journey is full of surprises, enjoy the ride together!
Embrace diversity, encourage playfulness, and discover the power of languages to connect and inspire.
Evidence: What Research Tells Us
Language use matters, and what we do at home can shape our children's language development. It is important to support all the languages that the child needs.
Children should be encouraged to communicate in the language or languages they feel most comfortable with, and to understand that mixing languages is a natural part of growing up multilingual.
Maintaining and growing languages relies on regular, meaningful exposure. Some families adopt a clear language strategy, while others are more flexible. Either way, there are many paths to becoming bilingual.
Frequent, natural use of languages across different settings is most effective. Children do not need formal lessons to maintain or strengthen their languages over the holidays.
Everyday activities such as storytelling, playing and singing offer opportunities for language development.
Even if a child temporarily speaks less in one language during the summer, continuing to hear and understand the language provides a strong foundation for later use.
Motivation and emotional connection play a role in language proficiency. When language learning is associated with fun, pride, and meaningful relationships, children are more likely to stay engaged and retain their skills.
Language shifts and small “pauses” in one language during the summer are common and expected.
Experience has shown that children typically regain proficiency in the school language quickly after the summer holiday. However, children may benefit from additional support.
Meet Our Guest Expert
Dr. Karen Rose, Ph.D.
Dr. Karen Rose, is a seasoned speech and language therapist with over two decades of experience in the UK and Israel. Her clinical and research work focuses on supporting bilingual children, including those with language challenges.
Currently, Karen works as an independent speech and language therapist, and she is conducting postdoctoral research at University College London (UCL), exploring bilingualism, autism, and narratives. Karen also shares her insights through workshops and lectures for families, students and professionals.
Her expertise has been invaluable in shaping this guide, ensuring that the strategies we present are both practical and grounded in current research.
References
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De Houwer, A. (2007). Parental language input patterns and children's bilingual use. Applied Psycholinguistics, 28(3), 411–424. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0142716407070221
Hossain, K. I. (2024). Reviewing the role of culture in English language learning: Challenges and opportunities for educators. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9, 100781.
Martin K. (2023). Watch your language, mom! A guide to multilingualism. Author. https://a.co/d/ce84wof
Noar, A. (2024). Language maintenance, emotional investments, family values and imagined futures. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(2), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2024.2380819
Rose, K., Armon-Lotem, S., & Altman, C. (2024). We don’t have a family language policy: exploring overt and covert family language policy planning styles. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2024.2413935