by Kate Mather
A child is never too young to begin learning a language. Not only is it fun, as children learn languages in a natural and playful way, it also nurtures many cognitive and social benefits that will last a lifetime. Here are five reasons why learning a language at a young age has significant advantages.
The Top 5 reasons to learn language as a child
1. A head start!
A child who learns another language before the age of five actually uses the same part of the brain that they use to learn their mother tongue. This gives them the capacity to acquire English in a natural way, making it much easier for them to grasp the language and be comfortable with pronunciation. Young children also have the greatest superpower of all time – no fear of making mistakes!
2. Greater confidence
It is of course possible to learn a language at any age, however, it requires more effort as you get older. Children learn languages in playful and fun ways; interactive games, videos, books… Discovering a language with engaging activities that they are already familiar with and enjoy allows children to associate a language with fun and therefore, they learn more naturally over time. This natural acquisition allows motivation and interest to flourish, ultimately boosting their confidence as they improve.
3. Improved cognitive skills
Studies show that the brains of children who learn other languages become more efficient and flexible over time as it starts to create ways to remember new words, make connections between them, and use them in contextual situations. This is why children who speak more than one language display improved concentration, problem solving and memorisation skills – very important qualities for future success!
4. Cultural awareness
When learning a language, not only are you learning how to express yourself in a whole different way, you are also learning about an entirely different culture! Children who grow up learning a foreign language develop more curiosity and appreciation for different cultures – the experience of learning a language introduces them to the world in ways they might otherwise have not experienced.
5. Why stop with English?
Acquiring a second language early in life primes the brain to learn multiple other languages, opening a world of opportunities!
