THE Mommy
I am so amazed that the Arubans know a minimum of 4 different languages: Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish and English. The public school actually teach in Dutch, which is the legal language. Papiamento is the local language. It's a crazy combination of many different languages, but if you know Spanish and English, you can almost keep up. The kids learn Spanish and English by watching television.
My kids have been soaking it all up like little sponges. It's truly amazing.
Princess has made friends with a little girl in our neighborhood. She is 4 and has had very limited exposure to English. By the end of one day playing at the pool, Princess starting counting in Spanish/Papiamento before they jumped in. Her friend quickly learned "Come on..."
2 year old BamBam has always said "Awa", which means "water". I've been finding that he has an easier time with Papiamento words than English. He says:
Ayo = good bye
Bon Dia = Good Morning
Sunchi = kiss
Dos = Two
It's really cute, but I'm going to have to create a dictionary for his teacher when we return. He's learning a ton of words and really picking up on his speech, however, it's such a weird combination of different languages mixed in with baby talk. He's going to need a translator when we return to the US!
We're considering moving to Aruba. It's usually difficult to work down here if you are not from here, however, our friend is willing to start a business with my husband...any business. They are like brothers who were separated at birth. They are truly our second family. We had a conversation before I dropped my husband off at the airport on Monday. The question was: is it really possible to feel so at home in two extremely different environments? It's as if our hearts are in NH, but our souls are in Aruba.
The biggest obstacle we would face if we moved here would be school for the kids. I know, we could always homeschool. It's definitely an option. There is an International School here which does teach primarily in English. They cost about $15k per year, per student...ouch. The local schools teach in Dutch. This is where we disagree. My husband thinks that, if we move here, we need to submerge ourselves in the culture, which would include sending our kids to the local schools. I have a bit of a problem with that.
I really feel strongly that I need to be able to help my kids with their homework. I am very involved with their schools right now. Princess has been establishing her independence from me since the day she was born. If she feels like she is smarter than me, I fear that I won't have any leverage over her as a parent. I know it will happen eventually, but I was hoping to wait until high school before she figures out that I don't know everything;)
Any thoughts? Would you feel comfortable having your kids learn in a foreign language? Leave me a comment.
Reader Comments (2)
I'm with you - if I'm helping them with their homework and said homework is in a language I don't speak, then there's a problem! If you were bilingual English/Dutch that would be one thing. Kids are going to sass you behind your back, let it at least be in a language you understand! I would go the home school or International school route. They'll get enough language immersion just hanging out with other native Arubans!
I'm so happy for you guys! That's awesome! I know that if I had the chance, I'd move to Bonaire in a second.
For me, it would all depend on where you see yourself 20 years from now. If you plan on living there for the short term (i.e. 10 years or less), I'd stick with the English. If you simply plan to transplant your family indefinitely, then that's an argument for complete immersion as soon as feasibly possible. I guess, what I'm saying is set things up with the kids' best future interest in mind.