AdventureDad

Just as we did last year we will be spending a couple of weeks in Germany with the whole family.  It's mostly vacation combined with some play in the German tennis league for me and Sandra.  Even though we're raising our kids tri-lingually, it's great exposing them to some other languages  as well.  Our kids have traveled a lot but a wider perspective on the world is always a plus.

I started taking German classes in 7th grade because it was the right thing to do for a good student.  I was fairly good at it and continued  taking classes for many years and the language stayed with me even though I never visited the country.  English was of course mandatory and I enrolled in the more advanced course, probably because my parents wanted me to.  Back in those days, the popular additional languages to learn were either German or French.  Very few chose anything but those two languages.  Today it's the exact opposite.  No one wants to study German or French, instead a majority are choosing Spanish instead.  

You never know what the future holds and it was pure luck I was given a chance to compete in the German Professional Tennis Leauge in the early 90's.  It was something I really enjoyed and continued to do for many years.  Suddenly, my German language skill was a great asset and I was surprised of how much I remembered.  And how much more I learned. 

Now we're back here again and it's great for both us and the kids.  My son now finds it completely normal seeing me switching effortlessly between four languages (Swedish, English, German, and Spanish).  I don't even have to think about switching language.  It's completely automatic.   Three of four languages, it makes no difference. Although I must admit mixing in too much Spanish when I was here a few weeks ago.  I'm not a youngster any longer but still finds languages fairly easy.  You can just imagine how easy a 5-year old finds it.   Four or five languages is a walk in the park.

Kids play well with each other regardless of language barriers.  I can clearly remember a family trip to Spain when I was 7 years old and how I played soccer and "talked" to kids from other countries without problems.  I think it's important children  learn early on that there are different people in the world.  Different languages, other food, and varying traditions.  They learn everyone is not the same and doesn't speak the same language.  You can of course tell a child this simple fact but it's not very effective.  First hand experience is unbeatable and leads to a different level of understanding.

I have seen this first hand too many times to count.  And it's always equally sad.  People tell me there's no point visiting Italy because they've eaten so much Italian food and had two Italian kids in their high school class.  There is no need seeing Paris because that Discovery Channel series and the many pictures of Eiffel tower gives an equally good feeling of the country. No need to visit Asia becuase you have alradz tried their food at the mall, driven the Japanese cars, and gotten a Thais massage.  That must be it, right? Yeah sure, and the earth is flat.

If I could give some advice to a parent regarding  long term plans for their children, traveling to other countries would be at the top of the list. If you're not wealthy, start saving a little money each month for your kids.  When they are 15 or 20  it will be a nice amount that can used for learning more about other countries.  Perhaps some time as an exchange student in high school/college or just traveling around with other friends.  15 is too young for many but the college years are perfect for soul seeking and trying to figure out what to do and where to live later in life. 

My world travel started as a got a full college scholarship at age 20 and took the big step from a little Swedish town to the large American continent.  It was by far the best move of my life and even today I shake my head and wonder where  I would have been without this move.  It opened a door to the world which is something I've been grateful for ever since.

Categories: Family, Tennis, Travel, Tri-Lingual
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