Remember high school? In Catholic school you could choose Latin or Spanish. What in the world could I do with Latin? And in retrospect Spanish turned out to be very useful.
Today, enlightened school systems know better. Second languages are introduced in elementary school. Little kids do learn more easily than high school students.
But current research says to really do it right, start even earlier. Start when the child is learning a first language when kids have an astonishing ability to absorb. And in today's complex world, a second language is not a luxury, it's a necessity.
We know now that studying a second language offers surprising benefits to children. There appear to demonstrate an improved ability to communicate, have better cognitive development, richer cultural awareness and, ultimately let’s face it, better job opportunities for those who know a second language.
Research suggests that from birth through age 10 is the best time to introduce new languages to a young child. The child will learn the language faster, retain it better and most often speak it with near-native pronunciation. Recent research indicates a young child up through age 5 can learn and process up to five languages!
Many parents deliberate over how to bring a new language into their little one's life. Many experts agree the bilingual approach for the very young child is best. Teach the new language alongside the native language. It's as easy as pointing to a cat and saying "cat" then following with "gato."
This bilingual method provides continuing education in the child's native tongue while acquiring skills in the new one. Language experts agree the strong sense of pride, higher self-esteem and long term retention are all reasons to introduce the new language with this bilingual/dual-language approach.
Both Time and Newsweek ran feature articles on the "window of opportunity" to learn a new language is between birth and age 10. The experts agree, the earlier the better. Don't miss out on the prime time of your child's development to provide your child with a lifetime of language skills. Remember to start early!
Do you want your child to learn a 2nd language?
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Comments (39)
My sister's daughter is 3-years-old and already can talk VERY, VERY well. But when she was still a lot younger, my sister taught her basic things in American Sign Language and it's really benefiting now too. And since I'm a foreign language junkie, my sister asked me to teach her daughter little things here and there, so I've been teaching her very basic sentences in German and really, she LOVES it!
Thank God someone wrote this! I'm personally trilingual, and picking up even more. It drives me up a wall when people give excuses as to why at least for an American, it's not necessary to learn another language. Let them speak English to us! But the world is changing so much, and everyone should be learning other languages. Even if you just work a factory job, or construction, people are needing to know Spanish. And on the business side, everyone's working with everyone else. Knowing at least ONE other European language helps immensely! I've even been asked on several recent job applications if I speak other languages, and it's only applications for jobs at the local mall.
Actually i dont think teaching ur children different languages in the same times will confuse them. I had nephew which my mom speak english with him, my dad speak another Chinese Dialect with him, other relatives speak mandarin with him, And he still can speak all of them with no problem..
I was raised in a bi-lingual home, we were taught English and my parents spoke Dutch when something needed to be said between them that we children did not need to understand. So quite a few Dutch words have made their way into our home. Being raised in Ontario we started French classes in grade 2, and i continued it all through high school, adding two years of Spanish just for fun. And I took several ASL classes a couple of years ago.
Our fson is picking up a lot of what we say, and some signs.
I want to tackle Russian at some point... just to be able to say that I know it.
I was told by one of my college profs that learning a new language involves your whole brain and thus is very beneficial to children.
I studied multiple languages, but the one that remains the longest is the language that is learned before age 5. The best time to teach them is when they are 4- 6 months. They can learn sign language and it is a great way for them to communicate with you. They can learn English and a second language at the same time. The earlier you teach them, the more likely that it will stay with them, the easier it will be for them to grasp other languages later on. The more they see, feel, touch and hear during those early years, the more they will retain and want to learn more. Show them flashcards, read to them, point to objects and words and say it several times. Reading is the essential key to other learning. The best way to recession proof your family is to educate and improve your children's lives.
In another year or two of study, I will be fluent in Spanish, and I definitely plan on any children I have being bilingual, more if I know more languages than that. It's silly to not teach them.
the school system where i'm from made it compulsory for everyone to take a second language. we're sort of confined to learn the language of our race. choice wasn't really an option. i used to hate learning chinese. i'm not good at it. but it is useful. and now i'm learning spanish, if i have a kid, bring on the french and chinese!
When i was in kindergarden, they tried all year to teach us spanish and i don't remember anything. i think its best to wait until middle or high school so they can actually remember. ftw.
I think kids of ethnic minorities should definitely learn their own language when they are small! Otherwise like many BBC (british born chinese) they will not know their own language when they grow up, and it is too late to learn already!! Even though my parents were really strict about me speaking cantonese at home when I was small and I was really sad >_>;; I really appreciate it now when I can speak two languages :D!
I speak English and Spanish (poorly!). I know enough Spanish to work with those who speak it, so I'm bilingual. I wish I had learned it earlier though because Spanish really is difficult for me.
i hope to take a ASL classes with my first child and see how that does. Also i want to have my Mother help me teach them Spanish. I know a bit, but not enough to carry on a conversation.
I think learning a second language is important at an early age, not only for the benefit of learning the language, but it increases cognitive ability in other areas as well. Studies have shown that languages are closely related to Math and Music. Its a shame most American education doesn't provide this early on. I have found tutors work best. There is a site that lists many different different spanish tutors, its nice having a choice and having it all available on the internet.
Good luck!
Hopefully Dads are allowed to comment here too
i have a 6 month old, i only speak english, but im learninng spanish as we speak as i hope to relocate,i talk to her in both spanish and english