Germany | A parent has shared concerns about their 9-year-old son who is growing up in a bilingual household, speaking English at home and German outside. While the child speaks German fluently in daily life, they are now facing difficulties in school, particularly with reading speed and written tests.
The parent explained that the child prefers English media and books, and this has begun to reflect in lower grades in German language assessments. The post has sparked discussion among other bilingual families who report similar challenges, especially when children split language use between home and school environments.
Many parents in similar situations suggest that the issue is often linked to academic language development rather than spoken fluency, and recommend more structured reading practice in German, exposure to age-appropriate German books, and regular reading support to help bridge the gap between conversational fluency and school-level literacy skills.
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