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Kids Need to Learn World Languages Early in Life
Those who know more than one language at a young age were seen to have a denser brain with more grey matter- the stuff responsible for processing information in the brain. Knowing more than one language proves to be a skill that keeps the brain healthy and exercised- leading to brighter, more highly functioning kids.
KIDS NEED TO LEARN WORLD LANGUAGES EARLY IN LIFE
BY SARA PORCARO
CHS World Language students
For most people, learning a language isn’t a top priority. Some even balk at parents who teach their kids their native tongue first instead of English, they roll their eyes at the second language requirements in high school and college, they may even get frustrated when someone is speaking a language that they can’t understand. In a world where math, science, business, and other such fields are taking off, not many people can find a use for being fluent in other languages and appreciating other cultures. However, learning a language does far more than open up new communication possibilities and grow that cultural appreciation- it can actually help in other areas like math and reading as well.
There are countless benefits to learning a second language at any age, such as a greater fundamental understanding of one’s own language and a healthy exercise for the brain. When a person is a young child, especially, learning another language before English is incredible for their developing brains. Many people believe that learning another language before they start preschool makes it harder for a child to learn English, but in reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Therese Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning, or the NNELL, notes that children who become bilingual at a young age have a greater understanding of the objects around them. They learn that something like a book or a pencil stays what it is no matter what language someone refers to it in. This understanding then helps develop more cognitive abilities early on that will benefit as they progress through school and into their careers in the distant future, abilities such as their problem solving skills and imagination.
The study of another language helps children develop all around heightened performance in their brains, and ironically, the students and children who know a second language tend to do better in areas like math and reading than those who only know one language and spend more time on developing math and reading skills. Those who know more than one language at a young age were seen to have a denser brain with more grey matter- the stuff responsible for processing information in the brain. Knowing more than one language proves to be a skill that keeps the brain healthy and exercised- leading to brighter, more highly functioning kids.
Children should use their undeniable advantage at learning languages, as they more readily take in information and retain proper pronunciation and phrases better. Older students need to learn by textbook and practice hard with language exercises in order to get the pronunciation down and remember all the rules and words in the language, whereas children are able to mimic the language better and have an easier time grasping the concepts.
Not only that, but the complete immersion that children have in their English speaking environment once they start school allows them to master their parents’ language, then quickly adjust to English when students are just being taught to read and write. This is because at a young age, the brain is better suited to learn languages due to it being the time where it needs to learn its first language, making it much more flexible and accepting of new phonetics and linguistic concepts.
On top of this, the cultural and historical ties a child has to its foreign family will be increased as they learn the language of their family and ancestors. The child will come to a greater appreciation of their heritage and have more pride in their culture, whereas a child who isn’t given this opportunity may lose the connection to their parents’ and families’ homeland. Older students will also be able to communicate with more people and expand their horizons, leading to them molding their life outside their home country and being able to explore the world with a new perspective or meeting the qualifications for better jobs in their home country.
All in all, there are countless reasons to begin learning a language at a young age and teach children the language in schools. Naturally curious, younger students will pick up on the language quicker, leading to denser brains and heightened performance, whereas the older students will be able to get into college and get better jobs and experiences, all of them keeping close to their family heritage and culture and making stronger bonds with them.
There’s never a reason that students shouldn’t learn languages as early as possible, because language is a part of all of us that will never disappear and can only bring the world closer together in the global community.
SOURCE
http://www.todayszaman.com/op-ed_advantages-of-learning-a-foreign-language-at-an-early-age_263877.html
http://www.languagestars.com/program-overview/programs/parents-and-tots/14-programs/curriculum/66-the-benefits-of-learning-language-young.html
http://tip.duke.edu/node/866
http://www.languagestars.com/program-overview/research-about-language-for-kids/facts-and-myths.html