For Families

The Rutu Foundation fosters multilingual education projects that use children's home languages in various countries worldwide. Its mission is to make education in children's home languages the norm rather than the exception. This does not mean that children should be offered education in their home languages only. Rather, it means creating equal education opportunities for all children, and letting all children benefit by becoming fluent in their home languages as well as in the societal language(s).

In 2019, the Rutu Foundation launched the Language Friendly School project. Any school willing to create an inclusive and language friendly learning environment for all students can take part. A Language Friendly School wants all children to have access to a language friendly learning environment where they feel accepted and valued for who they are. This means, of course, that no child is punished for speaking her or his home language at school. It would be great if this goal can be universally reached by 2030, the United Nations' deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals.

All schools – primary and secondary, private and public – are welcome to join and enjoy the benefits of being part of the network, which, amongst others, gives access to multilingual teaching strategies and materials.

"Open access to picture storybooks in the languages of Africa. For children's literacy, enjoyment and imagination." – These are the touching opening words of an open licence digital publishing initiative called African Storybook.

The African Storybook initiative (ASb) uses storybooks to promote literacies in the languages of Africa. Almost 2,000 storybooks in 221 languages from A for Acholi to Z for Zarma have been developed and published since the start of the project in 2014. Readers can choose a language and different reading levels such as first words, first paragraphs, or longer paragraphs and download the story in different formats.

In addition to the website, two easy to use apps, the African Story Reader App and the African Story Maker App are available for free. This way, children and their families need neither a computer nor computer skills to read, translate, or create a new picture storybook. Also, the apps allow for offline use of the storybooks.

Videos and written guides provide step by step instructions on the use of the resources. Additionally, in depth guides provide detailed information on topics like how to translate a storybook professionally or how to create a storybook with children.

ASb says: "Writing a story and developing a storybook are rewarding processes involving a range of activities and competencies that can be used for language and literacy teaching. The process of storybook creation is also a way for children to reflect on their life experiences and to make meaning of those experiences."

The whole project is run by Saide, a registered Non-Profit Organisation governed by a Trust and based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Children can only learn to speak if parents and other carers speak to them. But it matters a great deal how people speak to children and how much they do so.

Watch this interview with HaBilNet Director Annick De Houwer on "How can parents of bilingual and multilingual children make the most of the time they have with them to maximise the language exposure?".

You will find some important tips to help optimize your child's bilingual development!

Bilingual picture books in 1001 languages for free – is that possible? It is, thanks to a charity called Bücherpiraten (Book Pirates), located in Lübeck, Germany.
Its core aim is to enable children and young people to experience literature creatively and independently. Book Pirates has created a database for bilingual picture books written by children, for children, involving children and young people across four continents. A network of volunteers translates the stories into as many languages as possible. Families and anyone who wants to promote reading can download the stories in any two languages and various formats.
You can find a very clear presentation of the work by Book Pirates through this German video with English subtitles.

Yes, it is important to talk a lot to children in two languages to support their bilingualism. But what about reading and writing in two languages? Find out in this blog article by HaBilNet member and consultant Janice Nakamura.

Do you want to know the secret to success in raising a child that is actively bilingual? Find out more in this blog post by HaBilNet member and consultant Adam Beck.

HaBilNet is very grateful to have Adam Beck on its consultation team! Find out more about Adam and the tips he has for raising bilingual children in this "LiveChat" with Tiara Harris recorded on May 24, 2020.

Like so many other parents world wide, you are probably stuck at home with your children during the current COVID-19 crisis. It is a difficult time for everyone. Check out this blog article to learn how this may be also be a time of opportunity for your bilingual family.

Are you expecting a baby in a setting that potentially involves more than a single language? This delightful book may help you on your way to raising a bilingual baby.
Note: HaBilNet usually does not endorse commercial products, but makes an exception for educational resources such as this one.

How would you feel if your child did not speak your language? You may never have thought about it, but many parents wish they had. Take a look at a brochure about the importance of holding on to your language here. You can choose amongst 26 languages!