OPOL vs. ML@H: Which Bilingual Parenting Strategy Fits Your American Household?
Deciding to raise a bilingual infant in the United States is an exciting journey, but it often comes with a major question: "How do we actually do it?" Without a clear structure, it is easy for English—the dominant language in American schools, media, and social circles—to completely take over. To ensure your child develops natural fluency in Spanish, most experts recommend choosing a specific linguistic framework. Two of the most successful methods are One Parent, One Language (OPOL) and Minority Language at Home (ML@H) . Both have unique strengths, and the "best" one depends entirely on your family’s specific dynamics and fluency levels. Understanding the OPOL Method (One Parent, One Language) The OPOL method is the most widely recognized strategy for bilingual families, especially when parents have different native tongues. How it Works In this setup, each parent speaks only their native or strongest language to the child. For example, Mom always speaks Spanish,...