Why Learning A New Language Young Is Important

Why is it important to teach your children a foreign language in today’s world? Today, there are several languages that are often taught and spoken throughout the world: from English, with 1.268 billion speakers, to Portuguese (252 million), Mandarin Chinese (1.012 billion), Hindi (637 million), Spanish (538 million) and French (277 million). Taking a closer look at the many studies conducted on this subject, learning one or more second languages, such as English, is significantly beneficial for young children: it opens them up to the world around them, develops critical thinking skills, stimulates their brains and improves communication and learning abilities. Many new methods of language learning have emerged as new technologies have developed.

The Benefits of Early Language Learning

Teaching children an additional language as they master their mother tongue provides real benefits for the rest of their lives:

• Improved learning skills for school: assuming the child has satisfactory skills in their mother tongue, teaching them a language such as English will help them to better master the basics taught at nursery school. At an early age, children have fewer fears and inhibitions about the unknown. Their brains are more malleable and receptive, making it the best time for language learning..
• Benefits for learning other languages: the vocal chords of young children are more flexible. They can more easily pronounce different words and syllables. By the age of 3, 4 or 5 years, children have an ear for different pronunciations. They can easily reproduce new sounds that are different from those in their mother tongue.
• Benefits for cognitive and social development: learning languages makes children more flexible, increases their intellectual processing speed, improves their analytical skills, and forges their ability to reason. Learning a language like English also means opening them up to the world and another culture (customs, habits, etc.). It means fostering tolerance, acceptance of others and diversity.

Early language learning also supports speech and communication development, as children learn to listen, understand, and respond in new linguistic environments. It gives children greater self-esteem and a positive view of their skills and their ability to learn. Learning a language makes it easier to travel and explore foreign countries. And why not get a job later on or study at a university abroad? It is of note that 75% of scientific content is written in English (80% of digital content). The English language has truly become dominant!

What Scientific Studies Say…

A number of scientists have studied the impact of language learning on the brain. It is evident that learning a new language helps to:

• Stimulate children’s and adults’ brains by developing new skills.
• Improve cognitive health (intellectual processing speed, neuroplasticity, analytical skills).

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that children who speak at least one second language have more developed intellectual skills.

A Scottish study published in the Annals of Neurology demonstrates the benefits of learning one or more languages. Learning at least one additional language during your lifetime helps to protect brain function after the age of 70. Speaking or learning a new language delays the onset of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases by 5 years.

Source: être polyglotte protège le cerveau du vieillissement – Planète Santé

Another study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania shows the benefits of language learning on the brain’s cognitive performance. For 6 weeks, 39 English-speaking students attended Chinese language classes. A brain MRI was conducted before and after. Rapid development of connection networks in the students’ brains was observed, , supporting the development of cognitive abilities..

Judith Kroll, a scientist in the United States, has also shown that individuals who speak at least two languages have significantly improved flow of information in the brain, which helps understanding and communication.

Traditional Methods

Among the methods available for learning a foreign language such as English, the traditional method incorporates two types of teaching:

• English lessons at school: group lessons given by a qualified teacher. This long-term method highlights interactive exchanges between the teacher and children: pronunciation, oral and written comprehension of simple or complex sentences, speech accompanied by body language, etc.
• Private lessons: this technique involves one teacher and one child. This is a tailor-made solution adapted to the child’s specific needs.

Alternative Methods

To learn a foreign language at an early age, there are alternative methods:

• Learning by total immersion in a foreign country: the aim is for children to immerse themselves in the culture and society. They are required to use the language intensively. Confronted with the spoken language, children gain in confidence and practice their vocabulary in a real-world environment.
• Using games and songs in English: learning a foreign language through games or singing is a good compromise that is both fun and educational. These activities can help reinforce vocabulary and understanding in an engaging way.
• Learning by watching TV series or animated films: the ideal technique for watching cartoons or TV series in their original version. Children can familiarise themselves with pronunciation, intonation and the rhythm of speech, which parents can support by encouraging their child to repeat phrases or talk about the story.

New Technologies

Learning a foreign language is now very affordable thanks to easy access to websites and intuitive online platforms. The new technologies available to the general public make it easy to take online courses: simple exercises, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, etc.

The e-learning method offers remote language learning at home through interactive dialogues and oral and written expression (grammar, conjugation, syntax, etc.). These tools can help parents support their children as they practice new words and develop their vocabulary.