Arriving in Belgium I was told by locals, I shouldn’t try to speak French in the Flemish areas or Dutch in the Wallonia areas! The Germans are so few that no one bothers.

How is this a country?
When different areas are resorting to English to communicate with each other!?

Google and tourist sites tend to say it’s a tri lingual country.

They even have their own language tv channels without subtitles! When it’s proven that passive learning is a massive step to language acquisition!

Just look at who speaks better foreign languages, the countries that use dubbing vs subtitles. 

And traffic signs!? Not only is this such a simple step to promoting bilingualism by exposure but it might actually reduce accidents and fines!

With the language division of Belgium into 3 separate areas, a rift in the community is created.

”they” don’t speak my language why should I speak “theirs”?

The older Belgium nationals spoke several languages and dialects. Why is the newer generation not able to?

Politics I’m told.
Well, bring back common sense!

Plus extra languages mean higher job market opportunities and iq whilst lowering the chances Alzheimer’s and dementia. 
Who doesn’t want that?!

Punishment and forcing people aren’t pedagogical ways to teach languages.

Be it French-speaking children attending school in Flemish areas, or Flemish children attending schools in Wallonia for example, all have at some point experienced “punishment” for speaking their own language. which in turn leads to siding with one or the other and playground clics forming, instead of being rewarded for trying to communicate. Feelings that grow from these kids into adulthood. 

Many families near the Flemish-Wallonia border often struggle to integrate due to language barriers.

Looking at Luxembourg, Switzerland and other multi language countries we know that it is possible to create a unity and a national identity.

International schools have been doing this for years.

By making all pre schools in Belgium trilingual —teaching Dutch, French, and German—from kindergarten onwards, or bilingual in the least, we can have better communication and understanding among our diverse population.

For example:

They can keep the school language, nothing has to change there, given the lack of resources and teachers.

But by the time they leave kindergarten they should be aware there are several languages, they should know a few words, sentences and songs. 
Such a simple activity will make the “native speaker” feel more welcome, the “non native speaker” will be able to get an ear for the language and not fear it…

This initiative will not only enhance educational opportunities but also promote unity within Belgium.

There are several ways in which this could easily be accomplished. 
but for now we want to get the idea out there.

When there is a will, there is a way.

Sign this petition to support the idea of a better trilingual exposure for a more inclusive Belgium.

Me:
Growing up as a child with mixed parents, being a parent to mixed children and being a language teacher around the globe for the last 30 years, I have seen firsthand the challenges faced by kids who speak different languages at home, at school and in the community.

Babies to young children are famous for being able to take in several languages.