Learning a Second Language at an Early Age
It is far more advantageous to learn multiple languages at an early age, these skills will only increase into adulthood. Learning a language at any age is rewarding, but learning it at a young age offers the widest range of opportunities and benefits.
Children see learning a new language as fun, it is something to enjoy, it can be built into playing games and usually this leads to an effective and somewhat infectious enthusiasm. It aids their ability to communicate with people generally, even in their own language, and may even aid their enjoyment of communicating with others.
Learning at such and early age also produces more of a native grasp of pronunciation, and grammar in the second language. The brain automatically separates each language correctly and so young children have the ability to learn many languages without getting them confused, also they probably don’t even realise they’re doing it. Think about it – do you actually remember the process you went through to learn how to read, write or spell. The process was definitely there, but at a young age everything is a learning curve and so becomes automatic. By incorporating foreign languages into a school curriculum, children develop a greater appreciation for diversity. Not only do they learn about the structure of a second language, but it also enhances the structure of their own language.
We all seem to manage to pick up our own language with incredible speed, be it through reading, song, conversation, nursery rhymes, even inventing our own words sometimes. It’s all done in fun, so while exploring their first language, it’s an ideal time to start a second one.
It’s not only the actual skill in being able to read, write and communicate in that second language that can prove an advantage, but the process can also give other advantages. It has been documented that it can help in learning to read generally. It can boost confidence not to mention the work out the brain will be getting!
At a young age learning is fun, natural and intuitive. Learning a second language can spur them on to a deeper passion for learning in general. As mimicking is also a large part of childhood, it’s easier for them to pick up new words and accents; it’s also easier for them to get away with it!! They seem to be able to pick up and reproduce some of the tricker sounds that as adults we now stumble upon, admittedly usually through fear of being mocked. Children don’t worry about this as much as we do in later life – it’s all part of growing up. At an early age, it doesn’t matter if the grammar is totally correct, that can be worked on later. In adulthood we tend to want a more immediate and perfect final product. By starting early, children will grow up being able to speak their second language confidently and correctly, just like a native!
Being able to speak a second language even if not fluently also makes travelling abroad a whole lot easier. It opens up a whole new experience of cultures and traditions and encourages travel. It’s also a great advantage when travelling to places where relatives speak in a different native tongue. It helps to immediately become part of a larger family, to hear first hand, memories and stories from elder relatives and to be able to continue these traditions and customs is preserving family history.