When discussing the topic of preserving a native language for children in a non-language environment, the words of the great writer Fyodor Dostoevsky come to mind: “Only by mastering our native language as perfectly as possible will we be able to master a foreign language in the same way—but not before.” Raising children in a different linguistic environment is a serious cultural challenge.

Why is it so important not to overlook the mother tongue while pursuing a foreign language for a child’s socialization and academic success? And what steps can be taken to ensure that Russian is not forgotten? Let’s delve into the nuances of language and see what experts recommend.

About the Russian Language

There are approximately six thousand languages in the world, and Russian is among the top five in terms of learning difficulty. It features free stress placement (it can fall on any syllable), unique sounds that do not exist in other languages (such as “ы” and “щ”), and homonyms—words that look and sound the same but have different meanings. Their meaning is determined by context. For example, “ключ” can mean a key to a lock, a natural spring, a wrench, or a musical notation symbol. Punctuation also poses challenges. Consider the phrase “Execute not, pardon”—where the placement of a comma completely changes the meaning.

Like any language, Russian has many intricacies, but with daily practice, it is acquired naturally.

“In the Beginning Was the Word”: How We Learn to Speak

According to the website of the Bekhterev Institute of the Human Brain, the most intensive period of speech development occurs between 12 months and six to seven years. By the beginning of the second year, a child already forms two- to three-word sentences. By four, these sentences become longer and include different parts of speech (from prepositions to verbs). By the age of seven, a child can tell a story, retell a book, and hold a conversation.

If a child moves to another country at an early age (especially before the age of three), maintaining their native language will require special effort from parents.

Children Under Three: Patience is Key

A child’s brain before the age of three is like a sponge, quickly absorbing new information. Now imagine that most of the time, the child spends time with a non-Russian-speaking nanny. In this case, the child becomes bilingual. Naturally, the dominant language will be the one spoken most often. Even if the child does not respond, they listen to speech, recognize sounds, associate objects with words, and memorize intonations. It is crucial that they also hear their native language alongside this exposure. The so-called “language mix” that forms in the child’s mind will eventually resolve, and each language will find its place.

Key Points:

1. Speak only in your native language during the time you spend with your child. Read fairy tales (“The Little Hen Ryaba,” “Teremok,” “Kolobok,” etc.), show pictures, and imitate animal and nature sounds.
2. Do not switch to another language, even if the child does not immediately understand what you are saying.
3. Use simple words for explanations and illustrate them with pictures.
4. Sing songs and use gestures.
5. Poems, proverbs, and nursery rhymes (e.g., “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, where have you been? At grandma’s house!”) help establish linguistic rhythm.
6. Make it a habit to play or sing lullabies before bedtime. Lullabies are one of the oldest genres of folklore, known for their calming and repetitive structure, making them easy to remember.

Children Aged Three to Six: Strengthening Oral Speech

When does a language become native for a child? Psychologists believe this happens when a child speaks it in emotional and conflict situations, when making friends, and during play. That’s why playing with children aged three to six should be done in Russian.

Key Points:

1. If the foreign language becomes dominant at this age, don’t worry. Keep speaking Russian with your child.
2. If the child responds in another language or is reluctant to speak Russian, don’t criticize them.
3. Instead of forcing them to repeat a phrase in Russian, continue speaking Russian yourself. This prevents rejection of the language.
4. Practice reading in Russian for at least 15 minutes a day (a tip also recommended by international schools for children learning foreign languages).
5. Create stories together. Call grandparents or relatives and set an example of warm communication in Russian. Explain jokes.
6. Introduce your child to Russian letters through games: sculpt them, draw them, bake letter-shaped cookies.

Children Aged Six to Seven: Reinforcing What’s Learned

At this age, reading and writing skills develop. Teachers at international schools recommend teaching children to read and write in both their native and foreign languages simultaneously. This approach does not create language confusion but rather helps build stronger linguistic structures.

Key Points:

1. Socialization is crucial at this age, so encourage friendships with other Russian-speaking children.
2. If your child studies in a foreign language and spends half the day at school, consider adding extracurricular Russian-language education.
3. Celebrate national holidays at home to foster an understanding of cultural traditions.
4. Write letters together to friends and relatives.
5. Read and watch films in Russian.

Preserving a native language requires time, effort, and patience. But the rewards go beyond language itself—it fosters cognitive development, broadens opportunities, and maintains a connection to heritage.

🗣 Expert Interview: Ekaterina Kolomenskaya — Director of Gymnasium No. 1 in Dubai

1. What Role Do Educational Institutions Play in Language Preservation?

Children quickly lose their native language in a non-language environment. I am not even talking about mixed bilingual families—there, the situation is even more challenging. But even in fully Russian-speaking families, language loss happens rapidly. I often hear parents’ concerns: “We speak Russian at home, we have Russian-speaking friends, and we sometimes travel back home for vacations. Why should we attend additional classes? We’ll just hire a tutor for grammar, and that will be enough.” It won’t.

Conversations at home and with friends are important but remain informal. They do not expand vocabulary or allow the child to use the language as a full-fledged tool for thinking and learning. Imagine—how would a child even learn how to say “divide” and “multiply,” let alone the names of oceans, rivers, countries, or how to write a creative and coherent piece in Russian?

The most crucial aspect of maintaining language is creating a linguistic environment and immersing the child in various subjects and activities. This is why just having a Russian tutor or attending a center where only grammar and handwriting are taught will not be effective.

2. What Principles Does Gymnasium No. 1 Follow?

Firstly, it is essential not just to study a language but to study in that language. That is why, at Gymnasium No. 1, every Saturday, children attend five subjects—three academic (literature, cognitive development, and exact sciences) and two creative (art and music/drama). We regularly hold additional lectures, master classes, meetings with interesting people, and themed events. All of this not only develops language skills but also deepens academic knowledge, creative and logical thinking, and social skills.

Secondly, our key goal is to make lessons engaging so that children genuinely want to come to us. We organize quests and competitions, stage plays, create installations, present projects, conduct experiments, and incorporate plenty of games into the learning process.

Thirdly, psychological comfort is fundamental. It is impossible to enjoy learning in an environment where a child feels uncomfortable or unsafe. That is why we carefully select both our students’ families and our teachers and assistants. We conduct interviews with families and offer a trial day so that both we and the parents can assess whether we are a good fit for each other. I personally select all teachers along with the co-founder of our project, Dr. Yulia Desyatnikova, a psychologist.

We also foster a friendly atmosphere by organizing joint outings to museums, nature trips, and interactive games with families. We want our “school” to feel like a home, a place children love coming to because they feel cared for and supported.

Fourthly, our teachers are not professional educators in the traditional sense—they are scientists, artists, journalists, and art historians, true experts in their fields. They are passionate about their subjects and eager to share that enthusiasm with students.

3. How Can Parents Maintain Their Child’s Interest in Learning?

As Gymnasium Network founder Yulia Desyatnikova says, education revolves around three key questions: Who? What? and How? If you choose the right Who, then negotiating the What and How will always be easy. In other words, once you’ve made the right choice of educator, everything else falls into place.

To ensure a child remains engaged in learning and using Russian, they must be interested in who is teaching them, what they are learning, and how that knowledge is delivered. That is why our teachers craft incredibly engaging lessons: we explore literature through detective story analysis, develop creative writing skills by composing autobiographical narratives in a structured genre format, discuss game theory while playing “Mafia,” or compare Chinese and Scandinavian mythology while debating how the universe was created.

So the answer is both simple and complex: ignite curiosity!

4. What Advice Would You Give Parents on Language Preservation?

My advice is this: do not make language learning a goal in itself. Instead, find exciting activities in Russian for your child (and yourself!), build a community of like-minded people with whom you genuinely want to spend time and learn. Seek out new knowledge and experiences—when a child is naturally curious and motivated, their language skills will inevitably improve along the way.

Website: Gymnasium №1
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