Some parents think the responsibility of their bilingual children learning the minority language lies with the minority language parent, says the Multilingual Parenting website about ELLs, when one parent speaks the majority language and the other, the minority language.

However, that’s not the best way to look at it, the article states. Raising kids is something that parents should do together, even the language hurdle. To do this, the Bilingual Kidspot website says families need to make a concerted effort to keep the minority language alive and well at home. Here are some great tips:

#1. The majority language parent should consider learning some of the minority language. The main reason is because his or her children are learning a language that the parent otherwise wouldn’t be a part of.

#2. Give both cultures the same amount of importance. Because the minority culture isn’t recognized as much in the community, this usually entails needing to make more of an effort in maintaining the traditions of the minority culture.

#3. Whenever you can, completely immerse the kids in the minority language. One of the best deep immersion programs is through visits and trips to see grandparents and other relatives.

When ELLs begin speaking, they will often use the majority language simply because of more exposure, states the article “What to Do When Your Bilingual Child Won’t Speak Your Language” from the Bilingual Monkeys website. In helping ELLs, when one parent speaks the majority language and the other, the minority language, schools can assist greatly by bringing in literacy experts from outreach programs like The Latino Family Literacy Project for Latino ELL students.

Research shows that reading for just a short period of time each day helps significantly with vocabulary, reading and overall language skills, often helping parents, too, and giving a real boost to the majority language parent, in this case. As such, the Project’s aim is in educating parents on these benefits and helping them setup an at-home, reading routine using bilingual books. On a regular basis, it offers webinars and 1-day program trainings throughout the US.