It’s never too early to start learning a new language. Contrary to common belief, young children are not confused when you introduce them to multiple languages simultaneously. They are naturally able to navigate multilingual environments. Also, learning a second language early in life helps open up the brain to a world of opportunities in the future. The benefit associated with teaching multiple languages is one of the prime reasons schools in Singapore introduce kids to a second language at a very young age.
Research studies especially support starting bilingual education at the preschool level. Children at this age learn fast and are quick to pick up a new language. As parents, you may feel like you are burdening them with an additional language, but it comes naturally to them at this age. When the kids are between the age of 0 to 3, the brain is in the most flexible stage, making them uniquely suited to pick up a second language. Once you become an adult, you need to practise more and consider grammar rules, but young children absorb structures, sounds, rules and intonation patterns very swiftly.
Benefits of Teaching Multiple Languages to Your Child at an Early Age
- Better test results and improved advanced reading skills
Multiple studies have proven that children who have studied a foreign language perform much better in many standardised tests, such as the SATs than their monolingual peers. Research undertaken by Canada’s premier York University advocated that children’s knowledge of the additional languages gives them an advantage in learning to read.
- Increased confidence
Children love to discover new things naturally, which is why learning additional languages come to them intrinsically. It becomes more fun than a task, and they become more confident when they accomplish it. Even when they travel to new places, knowing the language the locals speak increases their confidence while interacting and exploring the country. Anyone would naturally feel confident if they knew the language in a new country.
- Improved brain executive function
Joint evidence from multiple studies establishes that knowing a second language enhances the brain’s executive function. Children who know more than one language are better planners, multi-taskers, problem solvers, and can focus well.
- Boosts the brain
Experts who have studied bilingualism in children advocate that being exposed to more than one language is a brilliant way of flexing brain muscles and strengthening them. A study showed that bilingual children displayed a significantly larger density of “grey matter” in their brains. And the children exposed to a second language early had the greyest matter of them all. Grey matter is what is responsible for processing information and controls speech, memory and sensory perception.
- Development of natural-sounding accents
Those who learnt new languages later on in life must have realised that picking up the accent is probably one of the most complex parts of learning a new language. On the other hand, children are always mimicking and imitating what they hear. They are exceptionally attuned to slight differences in sounds and tones. Because they have sensitive ears, it helps them to pick up on and pronounce tricky sounds that we adults often stumble over. Thus, starting with multiple languages early will help them speak smoothly and confidently, just like in a native fashion.
- Better education opportunities
Universities have increasingly placed importance on knowing more than one language over the years. Admissions processes have become exceptionally competitive globally, and knowing multiple languages will give the applicants an edge over the others.
- Increased employment avenues
Besides giving leverage during college admissions, multiple languages also lead to more job opportunities. In today’s borderless world, companies always look to expand globally, so they prefer employees who know more than one language. Such employees are often selected for overseas assignments and paid more than their monolingual counterparts. This claim applies to opportunities beyond interpretation and translation. Companies need people who can communicate effectively across borders while possessing specialised skill sets to internationalise their products or services. Then some bilingual specialists can charge to their heart’s content for translating texts related to their expertise.
- Better travel opportunities and connections with other cultures
Multilingual children have better travel experiences as they mature. It is one of the most thrilling advantages of learning multiple languages, as it helps them explore new places and connect with people from various cultures at different levels. They can communicate and experience a new country better than those who only know one language. It expands their horizons and presents them with incredible travel and exploration opportunities. While anyone can travel abroad, imagine knowing the local language and being able to connect with locals more effectively. It will give them a truly immersive experience.
- Learning an additional language is more straightforward as a child
One of the main advantages of teaching your child an additional language at an early age is that they can learn these languages faster and more efficiently. They have ample time on their hands to understand, fewer inhibitions, less to learn, and a brain predisposed to language learning, all of which favour them. So, teaching your child an additional language at an early age saves them from having to learn a different language as an adult. Children have time to their advantage, and they can start with manageable levels and work their way up to a more advanced language level.
To conclude, children should be immersed in a multilingual environment from a very young age. Children who learn multiple languages are expert problem solvers, constantly strengthening their brain, have better chances of scoring well on standardised tests and are very confident.
A few international schools in Singapore stand out from other schools because they offer their students a truly bilingual environment where students receive almost equal instruction in both Mandarin and English. They have developed a language programme that enables students to immerse themselves holistically in the new language and simultaneously learn about that culture. Their authentic language instruction is designed to empower students to become fluent in languages other than their native language. They advocate this multilingual learning so children can thrive in an increasingly global economy.
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