Early Praise for the New Book “Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability”

“Adam brings us this book with his perspective as both a language educator and a parent in the trenches, living the experience alongside us. He separates the book into two distinct sections: “Perspectives” and “Principles”—making it clear that our feelings about and dedication to the bilingual journey will inevitably shape our actions and our success. Adam’s book is comprehensive. He goes beyond nuts and bolts to our emotions, passion, motivations, and frustrations. His anecdotes and illustrations keep the book light and readable for every parent. He has a unique way of encouraging parents throughout the book, and tells us that every parent can be successful at raising a bilingual child. If you are a parent looking to raise your child with two or more languages, and need some encouragement as well as some concrete suggestions to help you along the way, look no further. This is the book you need.” —Alisa in France

“As a mother raising bilingual children, and professionally, as a speech-language specialist, I’ve read and written extensively on the area of bilingualism. There are many resources readily available out there for bilingual families, but Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability is uniquely special. Adam’s use of “Perspectives” (ways of thinking) and “Principles” (ways of acting) will certainly bring about right thinking that leads to right doing when it comes to fostering active bilingual ability in children.” —Ana Paula in the United States

“I found reading Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability a very uplifting experience. It’s easy to read and very enjoyable. Adam speaks from his heart straight into yours and offers a great guide to bilingualism and good parenting. Although I would have loved to read it before my children were born, I gained so much knowledge and tips about bringing up children bilingually that I can’t wait to start putting it all into practice! Definitely the most useful, practical, and motivating book on the market.” —Arancha in Spain

“As an American ex-patriot and father of a bilingual family in Japan, I was thrilled to find the community of bilingual parents and children which Adam has founded online at Bilingual Monkeys and The Bilingual Zoo. Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability is the perfect guidebook for our family’s ongoing multilingual journey. Adam deftly combines anecdotes from his own experience with a depth of technical knowledge and invaluable research to present a comprehensive program to support any family’s language learning goals. His sensitivity to the thousand daily struggles and gifts of fatherhood in a global family are always a joy to read.” —Jonathan in Japan

“Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability is an honest and engaging book full of motivational insights and practical advice on how to foster bilingualism. It is culturally sensitive, respectful, and valuable to any family raising bilingual children, no matter its location, languages, or finances. The author has a uniquely valuable perspective and combined experience of an educator and a parent. The book is informative, methodical, and realistic about the challenges of raising bilingual children, yet it will propel your enthusiasm and provide you with countless incentives to keep on going. The second, “Principles,” is a treasure trove of wonderful practical ideas and creative tips. I know I will go back to those chapters and keep on implementing what I learned as our daughter gets older.” —Julia in the United States

“As a native Spanish speaker living in Germany, it’s very important to me that my three children grow up bilingual. I’ve read quite a few books on the subject and I found Adam’s book different, a very inspiring and motivating book for parents of bilingual children, full of real-life examples of the author’s children and lots of ideas I will implement with my own kids. I’m sure I will be re-reading the book for renewed inspiration whenever I find new challenges on our family’s bilingual journey.” —Marta in Germany

“Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability looks at bilingual upbringing from a different angle than most books on the subject. It is a book full of passion, enthusiasm, positivity, and interesting insights. Adam talks about his personal experiences raising his own children in English and Japanese, his struggles to keep the minority language alive and kicking, and how his family has coped with problems along their bilingual journey so far. He offers invaluable advice to parents and useful suggestions on how to keep progressing and keep going, even when things get tough. Maximize Your Children’s Bilingual Ability is not just a book about language, though. It is a book about love and respect, values and feelings, and the beauty of life and our fostering an appreciation for it—because, as he says himself: “Being loved will always be more important to your child than being bilingual.” A great book, which I would recommend to anyone thinking of bringing their children up in two or more languages.” —Jana in the United Kingdom

“This is the perfect book for any parent beginning a bilingual journey or even considering it. Very down to earth and practical, this guide will clarify all doubts on the difficulties and challenges to come and the steps to overcome them; all from a practical perspective that will allow the reader to realistically establish a goal and—with perseverance, of course—accomplish it.” —Daniella in Chile

“An ideal read when you’re expecting, and a good present for future parents to a bilingual baby! Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability helps you understand the bilingual journey so you can match your efforts to your expectations. It is also full of practical advice, personal anecdotes, quotes, and metaphors that will no doubt cheer you on after the needed reality check: it’s going to be hard work (but so worth it!).” —Julie in the United Kingdom

“Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability is like a personal trainer for realizing the dream of raising bilingual children. While almost all parents and children in multilingual contexts aim at succeeding in achieving high proficiency in their languages, the truth is that fostering active command of the minority language is a challenging task that requires dedication and perseverance over many years. Adam’s inspirational “Perspectives” and concrete “Principles” will surely help parents with similar goals stay on track and keep focused, all while making the experience playful and joyful and strengthening the bond with their children.” —Lucia in Germany

“When it comes to raising your kids bilingual, Adam leaves no room for excuses. His “Perspectives” tell you why you should nurture language ability in two or more languages: for you, for the child, for your family and community—for the world. Then the “Principles” show you how to do it, day after day, with the simplest things that add up over time to bring a more joyful life for all. An excellent book to help you love your little ones in two languages.” —Nellie in the United States

“As the mother of a bilingual and bicultural daughter, a teacher/administrative staff member at a bilingual international school, and a person who works with parents who want to raise bilingual children, I’m so happy to see Adam Beck’s book come to light. His many years of working with students, and his own children, are reflected in the “Perspectives” and “Principles” that structure Adam’s ideas, experiences, insights, and suggestions for those of us raising a new generation of bilingual children and young people. The book is an enthusiastic invitation to be aware of and try opportunities to be resourceful and creative with our children so that they can take full advantage of becoming bilingual. The bilingual journey, each family designing their own map, with the guidance and genuine support from Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability, is a journey worth taking!” —Annie in Colombia

“This is a very inspirational book, full of funny anecdotes and helpful tips, that you will want to put into practice right away. A must-read for bilingual families.” —Gabi in Argentina