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Hi, Sophie here!

Since Han and I appeared together with our daughter Alice on My Korean Husband, many people have asked about whether we will raise Alice as a bilingual and how we plan to do so. The answer is definitely yes, but the method may require a little explanation.

When Alice was born, friends and relatives told me that the best way for a baby to become bilingual is if one parent speaks one language, the other parent, the other language (OPOL method) I think this method is very successful when the primary caregiver is also the speaker of the minority language since the child gets maximum exposure to both languages. In our family’s case I am the primary caregiver and also the speaker of the majority language, how could I give Alice enough exposure and context to speak Korean as well as English? We decided we’d both speak to her only in Korean.

I’ve got Korean textbooks for travel, business, student life and even domestic life, but none of them teach the language of raising babies, or the little elements of culture and play that are handed down through generations of mothers.

I’ve decided to try and fill this gap through my blog: thedaughterinlaw.com
I will share all the characteristic grammar, expressions, essential vocabulary and Korean family culture and manners that I have gradually learnt parenting Alice.
I will also discuss other elements of family culture, Korean ettiquette and maybe share some of my experiences as Han’s wife, Alice’s mum and as a Korean family’s daughter in law.

FACE