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Bilingual language practice at home

Families who speak Spanish, Portuguese or another language at home often ask whether to switch to English. Here is what ASHA, the U.S. association of speech-language pathologists, says.

Keep your home language

ASHA's parent page says you will not confuse your child, or cause or worsen speech or language problems, by using your languages, and suggests talking with your child in the language or languages you are most comfortable using[1]. ASHA's guidance for professionals says SLPs and teachers continue encouraging families to keep using their heritage languages[2], and notes that being multilingual is not a communication disorder[2].

Why word-for-word translation is tricky

ASHA notes that language items often do not have a one-to-one translation[2], and that dialects differ in accent, grammar and meaning[2]. One SLP writing in The ASHA Leader observed that when English autism materials are mirrored in Spanish, key information can get lost in translation[3]. That is why we write each language on its own rather than translating word for word, and why your SLP may change words to fit your family.

Practising in two or three languages

  • Ask your child's SLP which language to use for each practice.
  • Read together in your home language; asking wh-questions about a story is one shared-reading activity ASHA mentions[4].
  • Meet new words often and in different places: Reading Rockets notes that children learn new words better that way[5].
  • If you are worried about your child's speech or language, talk with an SLP[1].

Why bilingual materials are hard to find

SLPs describe the gap themselves: one school SLP with mostly Spanish-speaking students began creating her own materials out of need[6], and an SLP blog notes that resources were very limited in Spanish and that information sent home in English is not always read and understood[7]. That is why every card we make shows English, Spanish and Portuguese, and the adult guides are printed in all three.

Free cards with three languages on each

Every card in our free First-Then board and Face Detectives feelings cards shows English, Spanish and Portuguese together. Our Speech & Language Practice Cards are in the store now, with a free sample.

  • Available now Speech & Language Practice Cards $7.99 per set, or $24.99 for all sets

    Picture cards for WH questions, categories and vocabulary, basic concepts and following directions, to use with guidance from an SLP or teacher. English, Spanish and Portuguese on every card.

    See it in the store

Questions

Should we switch to English at home?

ASHA suggests talking with your child in the language or languages you are most comfortable using[1], and encourages families to keep their heritage languages[2].

Is being bilingual a cause of speech delay?

No. ASHA notes that being multilingual is not a communication disorder[2] and that multilingualism is not a cause of speech or language disorders[4]. If you are worried, talk with an SLP[1].

Which Spanish and Portuguese do your cards use?

Neutral Latin American Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. Dialects differ[2], so your SLP may adjust words for your family.

Keep reading

Written by the UpOnly Learning team. Sources checked 26 Oct 2026; page updated 27 Oct 2026.

References

  1. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Learning More Than One Language (public page). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  2. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Practice Portal: Multilingual Service Delivery in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  3. The ASHA Leader. SLP Offers Autism Support to Bilingual Families (Apr 5, 2021). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  4. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Practice Portal: Spoken Language Disorders. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  5. Reading Rockets (WETA). Vocabulary: An Introduction (cites Put Reading First, 2001). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  6. The ASHA Leader (Shelley D. Hutchins). An SLP's Business Supports Heritage Language Retention (May 15, 2025). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
  7. SLP Now. #054: Tips and Tricks for Working with Bilingual Students (Jul 8, 2020). Checked 26 Oct 2026.

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