Interview with a Multilingual Optimist
At Optimist International School, we celebrate diversity, and one student who embodies this is Léa from Group 3. She speaks multiple languages, enjoys learning, and hopes to inspire others to embrace multilingualism. We sat down with Léa to hear more about her experiences.
by Margit Tera, Multilingual Learning Specialist
Which languages do you speak?
I speak French, Spanish, English, and Dutch.
Which language do you speak at home with your family?
My dad speaks French, and my mum speaks Spanish. I use three languages at home.
How did you learn to speak more than one language?
My mum and dad taught me how to speak. I also learn from television and books. Now, I’m learning to read and write in Spanish and French.
Do you have a favorite word or phrase in another language?
In French – chocolat, in Spanish – mama, in English – ice cream, in Dutch – Hallo!
Do you ever mix up the languages when you talk?
Yes! When I’m telling my parents about my school day, I sometimes use English words without noticing. Then my mum and dad help me find the right word in Spanish or French.
Would you like to learn new languages?
Yes, Japanese and Chinese.
Do you help your friends or teachers understand different languages?
I help my teachers and friends. When they don’t know how to say or write a word, I tell them to break it into syllables.
How do you feel about the weekly home learning tasks?
They make me feel successful. I complete my home learning tasks in English, Spanish, and French.
Why is it important to learn Dutch?
We live in the Netherlands, and that’s the language we speak here. I learn Dutch when I play outside or in lessons at school.
Why is it good to know and use more languages?
When I visit different countries, I can talk to more people and understand everything. I need to know languages to speak to my family.
Léa’s love for languages shows how powerful multilingualism can be. Her enthusiasm for learning and helping others is inspiring—who knows how many more languages she will master in the future?