Two children are growing up in the same immigrant family, in the same house, with the same parents. Yet their Russian is different. The older one speaks fluently, the younger one understands, but responds in English. How is this possible?
The point is that Russian proficiency in bilingual children is not a ladder from zero to the top, but rather four different states, each of which a child can get stuck in for a long time. And to help, you first need to understand where they are now. The test below is precisely about that: seven questions, a couple of minutes, and you'll see your child's language profile.
Four types, and why it's important to know
Briefly about what the test shows. The first type, strong Russian, when a child understands, speaks, and reads fluently. It seems there's nothing to worry about here, but it's precisely the strong language that fades most imperceptibly.
The second type is the most common for our families. Russian is present, but it's fading. The child understands everything but tends to respond in English, and the language is slowly becoming passive. The third type is when Russian is only being formed, with little understanding and few words yet, but there's a foundation. And the fourth type is when there's almost no Russian, and the language is essentially new to the child.
Knowing your type is important, and here's why. Everyone needs their own kind of help. The strong need development and reading, the struggling need to quickly regain their language skills, and the beginner needs a gentle start. A single remedy won't work for everyone here, and the test helps you understand what you specifically need.
Take the test
Answer honestly, as things really are, not as you would like them to be. The test is short and asks about ordinary everyday things: how the child understands Russian speech, what language they answer in, whether they read, whether they understand their grandmother's jokes. In a couple of minutes, you will receive a profile and a hint on what to do next.
Just remember that the test provides a guideline, not a verdict. It's a reason to think and plan steps, and an accurate picture will always be given by a live person who talks to the child.
What to do with the result
You've got the profile, so what's next? If the Russian is strong, the main thing is not to lose it, because a language without nourishment fades even for the most articulate. Give your child real books, movies, and conversations more complex than those about dinner.
If the language is fading, which is the most common case, don't delay. It's still easy to bring Russian back into active use now; in a year or two, it will be harder. Live communication, where it's not boring and not embarrassing to speak Russian, helps best here. If Russian is just beginning or there's almost none of it, it's important not to pressure or compare to anyone, but just to start, calmly and according to your abilities. In any of the four cases, one rule applies: the more live Russian there is around the child, the stronger the language.
How we help at every level
At Palme School, we start by assessing the child's level and then guide them from that point. For some, we deepen their understanding of the language and introduce them to authentic literature; for others, we help them re-incorporate Russian into their active speech; and for some, we start from the very basics. We take students from four to seventeen years old. If Russian is spoken at home, your child will be a good fit. Program for bilinguals; if the language is completely new, we start with Russian as a foreign language courses. The lessons are remote, the groups are small, forty minutes long.
The first meeting is free. First, a coordinator will talk with the child to determine their level, and then there will be a real trial lesson in a group. Two meetings will be enough to understand if your child likes this approach and if it suits your family.
What's important about a child's language profile
Understanding your child's Russian language proficiency is not about labeling them, but about knowing where to go next. A strong language needs to be preserved, one that's fading needs to be brought back, one that's forming needs to be developed, and a new one needs to be built from scratch. Any of the four profiles is not a life sentence, but simply a point on a map from which the road becomes visible. Take the test, see where your child is now, and take the first step while their childhood is generous and language comes easily.
01 How accurate is this test?
The test provides a good guideline, but it doesn't replace a live assessment. It's based on how you yourself evaluate the child's speech, and such an evaluation is always somewhat subjective. Therefore, the result should be understood as a direction, not an exact diagnosis. A specialist will provide a true picture during a free consultation when they speak with the child directly.
02 What age is the test suitable for?
The test is designed for parents of children approximately four to seventeen years old, covering preschool and school ages. The questions about comprehension, speech, and reading are suitable for any stage: from a toddler who is just babbling to a teenager who no longer wants to speak Russian. You answer the questions based on what you observe every day.
03 What to do if the result is disappointing?
First, don't panic. A "melting Russian" profile isn't a failure, but a very common and fixable situation in immigrant families. Childhood forgives a lot: language comes back and is re-learned faster than you might think. The main thing is not to postpone it, because the sooner you start, the easier and more enjoyable the process will be.
