2026 Intentions
Setting Intentions for a Year of Deep Language Connection
Every year, I find myself thinking less about resolutions and more about intentions — about the qualities I want to live into, the habits I want to nurture, and the experiences I want to share with my family and our community of language learners.
This past year, one of the most powerful reminders of why intentions matter came from my 8-year-old son.
When Language Becomes Real
For years, we’ve encouraged him to learn languages with joy and curiosity. We’ve read books together, pointed out words around us, and celebrated minimal effort and the small victories that come with that. But until last summer, most of his language use was practice, not necessity.
That changed on the trip we took to Germany, Paris, and then Morocco.
In Paris, his French was — objectively — better than mine. He knew his greetings, could talk about his day, and understood more than he let on. But the moment it counted — at the train station when we needed to find the subway, a bank or directions — the pressure took over. Even with my partial French, I stepped in often because I adore talking to strangers, and I could steady the moment for him.
Seeing him struggle despite knowing the language was humbling. It reminded me that fluency isn’t only about vocabulary and grammar — it’s about confidence, rhythm, silence, and courage in the face of unpredictability. And when you’re on the spot, especially as a child, it’s a lot to ask.
Culture, Family, and a Bit of Shock
Morocco was another experience altogether. There, he spent time with his Moroccan family — including his grandmother, who lives in a world culturally and linguistically very different from his own.
With her, it wasn’t just a language barrier he was facing — it was context, expectation, and unspoken rules of the culture. He laughed, played and simply listened. That was enough. His grandma lives in a space that was familiar yet otherworldly to him.
On this trip were moments of joy, moments of awkwardness, and moments where he surprised me — stepping into communication even when it felt shaky. That, to me, was the real gift of travel and language: not perfection, but real connection.
And for us as parents — the reminder that learning a language is also learning how to be with others across differences.
What Intentions Will Look Like in 2026
As we step into the new year, I’ve been thinking about what intentions to focus on — especially as a multilingual family and as creators of books that celebrate linguistic diversity. Intentions are not goals on a checklist. They are guiding lights, whispers of what we want to show up for again and again.
Here are a few of mine for this year:
1. Prioritize Presence Over Perfection
The goal is to connect with my kiddo and connect him to where he comes from. I want us to honor effort and presence over flawless grammar.
2. Celebrate Small Moments of Bravery
My son’s willingness to try, even when it felt hard, reminded me that courage counts more than fluency. Every greeting, every attempt at a question, every translation — these are wins.
3. Build Bridges Between Generations
Language connects us not only to phrases but to the people who matter to us — grandparents, cousins, neighbours. This year, we’ll look for ways to practice this, though storytelling, calls, photos, and sparked conversations in the languages we carry.
4. Share More of Our Learning Journey With You
At Fluent Books, I’ll continue telling stories that reflect the real, imperfect beauty of multilingual life. Because every reader — child or adult — deserves to see a language journey that feels honest and human even if its a little messy. fluentbooks.org
Set a Language Intention
Language is not just a skill — it’s our way into each other’s stories, each other’s worlds, and each other’s hearts.
May your year be rich with words you didn’t expect to understand, conversations that surprise you, and the kind of moments that make you feel deeply alive.
If you’re reading this and you also carry languages in your life — whether you’re learning, teaching, parenting, or simply curious — I invite you to share an intention with me:
