More than half of GTA residents were born outside Canada. The region speaks over 180 languages. For many families, raising children who speak both English and a heritage language isn’t a choice — it’s a priority. Here’s what the research says about bilingualism and what actually works in practice.
The Benefits Are Real
Decades of research on bilingual children consistently finds:
- Cognitive flexibility: Bilingual children develop better executive function — the ability to switch between tasks, inhibit irrelevant information, and hold multiple things in mind simultaneously
- Cultural connection: Heritage language ability allows children to communicate with grandparents, connect with their cultural roots, and maintain identity across generations
- Career advantages: Bilingualism is a genuine workplace asset, particularly in the GTA’s diverse economy
- Language learning ease: Bilingual children acquire additional languages more easily than monolinguals
The concern that bilingualism “confuses” children or delays language development has been largely disproven. Bilingual children may have smaller vocabularies in each individual language than monolinguals, but their total vocabulary across both languages is comparable or larger.
Strategies That Work
One Parent, One Language (OPOL)
Each parent consistently speaks their native or preferred language. Research supports this as one of the most effective approaches — it creates a natural, consistent context for each language.
Minority Language at Home
English will be the majority language of school, friends, and media. Many families find that designating the minority language as the language of home — consistently — helps maintain it. English takes care of itself.
Heritage Language Schools
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) operates the International Languages Elementary Program — Saturday heritage language classes in over 50 languages, heavily subsidized. Available in Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu, and many more. Apply at tdsb.on.ca.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) offers similar heritage language programs.
Private heritage language schools operate throughout the GTA for most major languages.
Media and Entertainment in the Heritage Language
Making the heritage language enjoyable is as important as making it correct. Books, music, YouTube channels, and streaming content in the heritage language give children positive associations with it.
The Critical Period
Children acquire language most easily before age 7-10. The heritage language that isn’t actively maintained during childhood becomes significantly harder to recover in adulthood. If maintaining the heritage language matters to your family, the time to prioritize it is now — not when children are older.
