My kid refuses to talk in English…and I am ok with that

 Let me clear one thing before I start, I am an English language teacher,( a good one as per me😜) and hence people assume my kids would be experts in the language whether spoken or written. Leave people aside, even I thought I will make my kids super experts in the language I teach my students, as I will start early with them. 

My son , elder one is a calm though determined character, a Spider-Man in making. I started with poems early with him, but then he is a bit like me - he refused to follow my instructions, the dad bit in him became expert in handling phone and remote, he would change channels. I would sit there completely clueless whether to be upset about it, or smile at his antics of talking in language of whichever cartoon he was following. He never stuck to one for long. 

He is nearly six now, I am the only relaxed person at home, in view of his disinterest in talking in English consciously. Though I have observed he does talk unconsciously a lot in English  when he knows no one is paying attention.( but then a teacher’s ears are very sharp). I have realised that I can’t force this kid , you see he has picked up words like…”TABAH” and “BARBAAD” , the first time I heard them I laughed like crazy and said,” don’t kill me son,  your mom is a teacher,”, abashed he replied, “ main sab tehes nehas kar dunga”. I left the room before suffering my first heart attack.

To be honest, I am not worried about his lack of interest , my focus is that he learns to express ( which him being less talkative is a task in itself) which is the first goal of any language. I would rather he express, the language is secondary. He will learn, and I will be there to guide him. And believe me , he will do well after all he is my kid🤣. Till then, I am scared to know that which next word will he pick from his latest cartoon, currently junior Singham.

Just to add, my younger one is a step ahead, he refuses to speak if he can explain with sounds, gestures or just one word. But he repeats whatever his elder brother says. So imagine what he will learn.

P.S - let your kid speak, no matter what language because that more important. And enjoy the words they learn, and surprise or shock you with….