Friday, April 6, 2012

The Advantage of Teaching Children a Foreign Language


Language acquisition, the ability to understand and use language, is a product of dynamic, repetitive and multifaceted learning. This key feature distinguishes humans from other organisms. Understand language isn’t in genetic code or nor acquired by magic, language is learned.

Learning a language affords wondrous opportunities for growth and development in young children, and it also provides an extraordinary way to communicate. Some evidence suggests multilingualism correlates with improved cognitive development and abilities as well as a greater sensitivity to other cultures, creeds and customs. Also, in a globalized economy, it is increasingly more imperative to know a second language for career success.

“It is not surprising that bilingual children go on to enjoy the personal and professional opportunities that accompany an expanded world view, a greater intercultural appreciation and sensitivity, the ability to learn additional languages more easily and a competitive edge in future markets and the global economy,” said Leslie Lancry, Language Stars CEO and founder.

“The benefits are typically categorized under linguistic, cognitive and social. Among the linguistic benefits is the relative ease with which fluency can be attained when exposure happens prior to puberty,” Bishop said. “On the cognitive side, there’s greater metalinguistic awareness that often leads to improved analytical thinking, greater ability to think abstractly about language, better writing skills in your own language, enhanced mental flexibility and divergent thinking. On the social side, kids get a broader world view.”

Source: Good to Know

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