Since I have
lucid memory I remember of listening and reading experts and common people
discussing if learning English as a second language at a young age is a better
option rather that to start it later in your adulthood.
My very first
approach with the study of English happened when I was 7 and I think starting
so early helped me a lot getting proficient at it. Anyway my opinion has always
been based on my personal experience and on that of people I know who have had
a similar path but I decided to search for more “scientific” proves to support
my theory and surprisingly I found out there are different opinions about the
subject matter.
I picked a
couple of articles which from my own point of view best exemplify the different
arguments about the longstanding dilemma “when
is it better to start learning a second language?”
The first
article by the Ertheo Staff http://bit.ly/ESlforKids highlights
a series of benefits your kids would be affected by if they would start
learning a second language at a very young age. The article is extremely
exhaustive in explaining why learning English (or any other second language) in
pre-school age is a total win-win situation. All throughout the articles
scientific studies are enlisted in support to the theory.
(Credit:
Ertheo)
The second
article by Sophie Hardach (http://bit.ly/LimitsOfEslAsKids) which
appeared on BBC Future endorses the fact that at a very young age kids do not
actually learn a language they acquire it. Kids are indeed not able to perform
what is called “explicit learning”. The author explains how although as babies
first and later as toddlers we have a better ear for different sounds and a
greater ability to pick up native accents, it is only as adults that we have
the adequate literacy which allows us to constantly expand our vocabulary.
After having
read the two articles I actually feel like my initial thoughts have been
reinforced. In my opinion starting to learn a second language (or even a third
and a fourth) at a very young age is a great thing.
Although it is
true that kids are not able to express elaborate contents (this even happens in
their native language), still is a skill that they would be able to develop
later in their cognitive path. Furthermore starting with a second language as a
child will allow your kids to absorb a higher level of automatisms and a better
pronunciation of the new language. Even better, benefits are not only limited
to the good mastery of the language itself:
- Improve problem solving and creativity – learning a second language improves the brain’s executive function which translates in enhanced capabilities in planning, problem solving, concentration, multitasking and a boost in creativity.
- Connect with other cultures and build tolerance – being able to communicate with more people from different cultures builds strong tolerance and appreciation for cultural differences. Parents with a different native language can still connect their children with their own heritage by teaching them their mother tongue.
- Prevent age-related mental illness – Bilingualism makes changes in the brain structure that are linked with resilience against Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.
I
I am Eleonora a 44-year-old Italian from Milan who is about to transform
her passion for foreign languages into a brand-new career as a freelance
English teacher.
I started learning English at 7 and while perfecting it in high-school I
began learning German and Spanish. I strongly believe learning a foreign
language helps people to open their minds and connect to other cultures. You
can find me on Twitter.
This particular blog article is part of my path in the Cousera – Social
Media Marketing specialization offered by the Northwestern University http://bit.ly/CourseraSMM under the guidance of Randy Hlavac, Lecturer, Medill
IMC; CEO, Marketing Synergy Inc.
