Researchers have identified three ways that people acquire a second language:
- simultaneous bilingualism,
- successive bilingualism,
- and receptive bilingualism.
Simultaneous bilingualism is when you learn two languages at the same time, with mostly equal emphasis given to both languages.
An example of this would be a child who grows up speaking both Spanish and German at home, learning both languages simultaneously.
Successive bilingualism is when a second language is introduced after a first language.
An example of this would be a child learning Mandarin at home, and subsequently learning English when they begin school.
Receptive bilingualism is when you can understand two languages but only speak in one.
An example of this would be a child who is exposed to both French and Arabic at home, and can understand both languages, but only responds in French.
Another example of receptive bilingualism could be an adult who grew up speaking English and Spanish but only uses English in their daily life. They might be able to understand Spanish but don’t feel confident speaking it.
Receptive bilingualism is not a fixed state; it is often the first stage of successive or even simultaneous bilingualism.
Or, someone who is a receptive bilingual as an adult can improve their speaking skills and become a successive bilingual.
