When I moved to Switzerland, my grasp of the German language was basic at best, hardly sufficient for meaningful conversations. I lacked confidence, particularly in social settings, where I'd often try to fade into the background while whispering German words, constantly questioning their correctness in my mind. The fear of appearing “dumb” in front of others was constant. Determined to integrate and understand the language better during my stay, I embarked on a language-learning quest.

I downloaded every language app available, enrolled in a rigorous three-month intensive German course, and even proposed to my husband that we switch from English to German in our daily communication. This transition was brutal for me. English had been our primary means of communication for seven years, so the change was a challenging adjustment. There were days filled with tears as I wished for the ease of conversing without the mental gymnastics required to find every word I wanted to express.

However, amid this challenging transition, I found purpose. I discovered I was pregnant. This revelation was the driving force I needed to persist in my language-learning journey. I refused to continue feeling like an outsider in my own household, a sentiment I often experienced during Christmas dinners with my in-laws ever since I met my husband. I am proud to say that, 3 years later, I am fluent in German and less apprehensive of the school years ahead with my children. 

In this forum section, we'd love to hear from fellow multilingual families."Have you ever faced the challenging task of learning a new language in a foreign country, and if so, how did you overcome the challenges and find motivation, especially in social settings?"Please share your experiences, insights, and questions, as together, we explore the wonderful world of multilingual parenting.