As parents of bilingual children, we often wait with anticipation (and a hint of anxiety) for that moment: when will we finally hear the first “apple” or “dog”?
And when the little one starts mixing languages in one sentence, the question arises: are they getting confused?
Relax—what might look like chaos is actually fascinating proof of a high-functioning brain. First words in English usually appear at a similar time as those in Polish, and “language mixing” is a natural stage of development, not a cause for concern.
Table of Contents
- When to expect the first words in English?
- Do children mix languages?
- Why do children use code-switching?
- Stages of speech development in bilingual children
- Developmental stages: Monolingualism vs. Bilingualism
- How to support the development of two languages?
- How to document your child’s progress?
- First words from nursery
- Understanding vs. Speaking – which comes first?
- What to do when the child only answers in Polish?
When to expect the first words in English?
Bilingual children start speaking around the same time as their monolingual peers. First words—regardless of the language—usually appear between the 9th and 12th month, with more intensive speech development occurring between 10–14 months.
In practice, this means:
- Around the first birthday: The child says 1–3 simple words.
- Between 12 and 18 months: Vocabulary can grow to about a dozen words (combined from both languages).
Remember: The child’s entire vocabulary counts—regardless of which language the words belong to.
Do children mix languages?
Yes—and that’s great news. This phenomenon is called code-switching. It is not a mistake, but a clever communication strategy. The child isn’t “confused”; they simply choose the word that fits best at that moment or is the easiest to use.
Why do children use code-switching?
The reasons are natural and logical:
- “Because it’s easier”: A shorter or more familiar word comes to mind faster (e.g., “car” instead of “samochód”).
- Situational context: The child associates words with a place or person (e.g., “doll” at the language nursery).
- Emotions: Sometimes one language better expresses what the child wants to convey.
This is a sign of cognitive flexibility and growing linguistic competence.
Stages of speech development: Monolingualism vs. Bilingualism
Research shows that key milestones occur at similar times—provided we count words from both languages together.
| Age | What happens? |
|---|---|
| 6–9 months | The child distinguishes sounds of both languages |
| 10–14 months | First words appear (e.g., “mama”, “ball”) |
| 18–24 months | “Vocabulary explosion,” first word combinations |
| Approx. 3 years | The child begins to adapt language to the listener |
Understanding vs. Speaking – what comes first?
Understanding (receptive language) always precedes speaking.
- Approx. 6 months: Recognizing sounds.
- 7–9 months: Understanding simple messages.
- 11–12 months: Following simple commands.
What to do when the child only answers in Polish?
This is very common and does not indicate a problem. Do not pressure them. Instead:
- Be a language model: Speak, describe, and read.
- Follow the child: If they answer in Polish, repeat the idea in English.
- Give them time to react and reinforce every attempt at communication.
At ITSW, you can count on the support of our specialists—we offer speech therapy care for our young students, and parents can access consultations and individual guidance at any stage.
