Raising bilingual children in Dubai might sound like a challenge, but trust me, it’s one that’s totally achievable—and incredibly rewarding! As a mother of two, my daughter Mia, who’s seven, and my son Noah, who’s five, I’ve spent years figuring out the best ways to help them grow up speaking both English and Arabic fluently, even though we’re expats living in a fast-paced city like Dubai. So, if you’re an expat in Dubai and are keen to raise multilingual kids, I’m here to share some of the strategies that have worked for our family!

Start Early: The Sooner, the Better

First things first, starting early is key when it comes to raising bilingual children. Mia and Noah were just toddlers when we began introducing them to Arabic, alongside English. It wasn’t about forcing them to speak one language over the other but about gently encouraging them through everyday experiences.

When Mia was born, I decided I would speak English at home, while my husband, who’s a native Arabic speaker, would speak to her in Arabic. The results were immediate. By the time Mia was two, she was able to say simple words and phrases in both languages. As a mom, I was over the moon when she started saying “Thank you” in English and “Shukran” in Arabic, all before her third birthday!

With Noah, we followed the same approach. I often hear parents say they’re concerned their kids might mix up languages, but honestly, Noah has learned to differentiate between the two without any issues. In fact, he proudly says “Hello” in English and “Marhaba” in Arabic, depending on who he’s speaking to!

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Create a Language-Rich Environment at Home

A language-rich environment at home is crucial for helping children grow up multilingual. At home, we have books, toys, and even songs in both languages to keep the language exposure consistent. I’ve found that both Mia and Noah love stories—especially bedtime stories. We have a mix of English-language books and Arabic storybooks on their bookshelves, and we make it a routine to read to them every evening.

For example, last week, I read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” in English and then “غول الغابة” (The Forest Giant) in Arabic. It helps them learn to appreciate the nuances of both languages while also teaching them new vocabulary. I’ve also found that apps and games in both languages have been a huge help in keeping their interest alive. We’ve tried games like Arabic Alphabet Adventure for Noah and Duolingo for Kids to help Mia with expanding her vocabulary.

Another trick I’ve used is to label everything in the house in both languages. From the kitchen (“مطبخ” for kitchen) to the living room (“غرفة المعيشة” for living room), the idea is to integrate both languages naturally into their daily lives. They have fun seeing the words around the house, and I’ve noticed it’s helped them learn the names of things in both languages without even realizing it!

Encourage Exposure Outside the Home

While speaking at home is important, I quickly realized that exposing Mia and Noah to Arabic and English outside the home was just as crucial. That’s when I started taking them to playgroups and language classes for expat kids in Dubai. There are several great programs in the city, such as the Dubai Language School, which offer immersive Arabic language courses for young children. Mia, especially, loves attending playgroups where she can interact with other children and practice speaking Arabic in a social setting.

For example, last month, Mia joined a Saturday Arabic storytelling session at The Little Gym in Dubai Marina. While she’s not fluent yet, it’s a perfect opportunity to practice speaking with native speakers. It also helps build her confidence in speaking Arabic outside of the home.

Another great resource for expat kids in Dubai is the Dubai International Academy’s bilingual programs. Mia has shown interest in attending their after-school Arabic language enrichment programs to improve her skills further. It’s a great way to support her language learning, especially as she gets older and her exposure to other kids and teachers who speak Arabic becomes even more important.

Balance Both Languages at School

When it comes to school, balancing both languages can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. For us, finding a school with strong Arabic language support was key. Mia is currently enrolled in GEMS World Academy, which offers bilingual education with both Arabic and English taught side by side.

One of the best decisions we made was enrolling Mia in a school with a bilingual curriculum that supports language learning and gives equal importance to both languages. Not only does this allow her to develop strong academic skills in both languages, but it also ensures she’s exposed to Arabic in an educational setting, which helps her improve grammar and vocabulary. Noah, being younger, is still at a more informal stage with his language skills, but we’re considering enrolling him in a similar bilingual program when he’s older.

That said, the educational journey for raising bilingual children in Dubai has its challenges. Some days, I feel like Mia’s English might be stronger, and on others, her Arabic vocabulary is improving faster. But I’ve learned to embrace these fluctuations. The key is to offer consistent exposure and encouragement, whether through school, playgroups, or activities at home.

Use Media as a Tool for Language Learning

I’ve found that media—whether it’s TV shows, movies, or online resources—can be an excellent tool for encouraging bilingualism. When Mia and Noah watch their favorite shows, I make sure we have access to both English and Arabic versions of the same program.

Mia’s favorite show, Peppa Pig, is available in both languages, and she has learned a lot of Arabic phrases by watching it in the evenings. They love to sing along to their favorite Arabic songs, and Noah has started repeating Arabic phrases, which is adorable! I make sure to switch between the languages, so they both hear and practice both English and Arabic regularly.

There are also a ton of great Arabic children’s YouTube channels that are educational and fun. We’ve recently subscribed to Al Jazeera’s Kids Channel, where they cover everything from animal documentaries to fun science lessons—all in Arabic.

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Be Patient and Consistent

Raising bilingual children in a city like Dubai has its ups and downs, but I’ve learned that patience and consistency are essential. Sometimes Mia will revert to speaking only English, and I gently remind her to use Arabic. Sometimes Noah will mix the two languages, but I don’t correct him too harshly. At this stage, I prefer to encourage him by speaking both languages around him and letting him explore at his own pace.

Raising multilingual kids in Dubai requires persistence, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. Mia and Noah’s ability to understand and speak two languages gives them so many opportunities—whether it’s in school, while interacting with peers, or simply navigating life in this multicultural city.

Final Thoughts on Raising Bilingual Children in Dubai

At the end of the day, I feel incredibly lucky to be raising Mia and Noah in Dubai, a city where bilingualism is celebrated and encouraged. The exposure to Arabic and English every day has given them the opportunity to become fluent in both languages while also embracing the rich culture around them. Yes, it takes effort, but the reward is priceless. Raising bilingual children in Dubai has opened so many doors for my kids, and I know it will continue to be an asset as they grow.

So, if you’re an expat in Dubai looking to raise multilingual kids, just know that with the right support, the right resources, and a bit of patience, your children will be speaking both languages in no time!