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Living in the UAE which is a melting pot of many cultures should pose a big advantage for many families who would like to raise multi-lingual children. For our family, with (lots of) dedication, we should be able to at least be tri-lingual --- Tagalog, our mother tongue, English, and Arabic.

So far, we only have English speaking children. We're trying to teach them Tagalog at least, and let me tell you, **the struggle is real!**


 
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### I don't like Filipino!

My youngest exclaimed one time. "But you are a Filipino," I said. "You have to learn how to speak Filipino."

**"It sounds just like <em>blah-blah-blah</em> to me."** I fainted. LOL. So all this time, when I speak Tagalog to him, he does not understand?!

I really do not think he does not understand, because he responds to common words like *kain* (eat), *tulog* (sleep), *huwag* (don't), etc. However, he just cannot speak the language yet. Actually, it is not just my youngest. None of my children are fluent in speaking Tagalog. They can understand, but they do not speak. 

#### Do they really understand?

<em>"Kuya, kunin mo ang tambo."</em> [Kuya, please get the broom.]

He comes and gives a **bucket**. Huh? Why bucket? Well, "bucket" translates to "*timba*". I faint again. Haha.

**Quick lessons with Gabbie:**

<em>"Maganda si Gabbie."</em> [Gabbie is beautiful.] She repeats it perfectly.

<em>"Maganda si Mommy."</em> [Mommy is beautiful.] She responds, <em>"Pangit is Mommy."</em> [Mommy is ugly.] LOL.

**Sounds like pure English.**

Hubby and I speak Tagalog to each other. Our eldest son is able to understand most of it, although again, he cannot speak straight Tagalog. Sometimes, he would repeat our conversations in English and ask if he understood correctly. He even says that our conversation "sounds like pure English" to him.

### Tagalog First.

First and foremost, their first language should have been Tagalog, then English next. Unconsciously though, we raised English-speaking kids. Their exposure to Tagalog is very minimal.

Once, we made a rule that whenever they are spoken to in Tagalog, then they have to respond in Tagalog, too. The rule was forgotten a minute after it was set. :(


 ### Time for a change

"What if we go to the Philippines? Nobody will want to speak with you because you do not speak Tagalog." We sometimes tell them this. Funny though, because whenever we are in the Philippines, it is the people there who adjust and speak to them in English.

But that should not always be the case. I think it would be better if they would be able to converse in Tagalog easily, that is why we are slowly integrating Filipino into their daily lessons.

<p>1. More formal lessons.</p>

<div class = "pull-right">https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/arrliinn/TwNXnQ65-IMG_20200929_194211.jpg<center><sub> The Filipino Alphabet</sub></center></div>

Since we are following the US track, our current curriculum does not require Filipino subject. However, I would like to teach them the subject now so that they can be ready should we decide to shift the curriculum later.

The plan is to teach Filipino side by side with their Language Arts lessons. There is a document repository of lessons recommended by the Philippines Department of Education, <a href = "https://commons.deped.gov.ph/"> Deped Commons</a>. Now I just need to find out how I will be able to access this, given that we are not enrolled in a Philippine School. So far, the website is asking for a school name and Learner's ID number, but I think I have read in a homeschoolers' forum somewhere that even indie homeschoolers can have access to the site.

<p>2. More exposure.</p>

Just make Tagalog the main language at home. At least, when we (husband and I) speak to the kids. Another is to watch more Filipino movies/TV shows. We very seldom Tagalog films! Eventually, we can bring back the respond-in-Tagalog rule as well.

<p>3. More heart and dedication.</p>

Our kids have been to the Philippines 2x only in the past four years, staying there for less than a month only. They have mixed feelings and impressions about the Philippines, hence it is important to plant seeds of patriotism into their hearts. Hopefully, after love of the country, the love for the language will follow.

<p>3. Introducing other languages.</p>

They are all at the age when they are capable of learning almost anything. I am very poor at learning new languages. 15 years here in the UAE and I never really learned how to speak Arabic (although I can also understand a bit when I listen to Arabic people talking). As for my kids, I'd really love for them to learn at least another language apart from Tagalog and English.

### Consistency is key.

Well, it's a no-brainer. We have to consistently execute the plan and for sure we will get to our goal in no time. 

Hopefully, we get to the point where they will be able to read, speak, and write at least Tagalog fluently. Then, other languages after.

I'd appreciate some tips from multi-lingual families out there, too! 
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