I need help for an assignement, should school children begin to learn a 2nd language in first grade ?

Question

can you give me your age, it's for a survey, thanks.

Answer 1

Can you define first grade? This is the U.K. site and that is not a term I'm familiar with (as a UK trained teacher).

In answer to your question, I believe kids should start to learn a foreign language as early as possible, certainly in primary school.

I started learning French at the age of 8 and have subsequently tried to learn two other languages. It's much easier at a young age.

I now work teaching English as a foreign language to adults and can say that there is a clear difference between those students exposed to English at an early age and those not.
Studies show that students who do not hear a sound that is unknown to them in their mother tongue prior to the age of 3 find it very difficult, if not impossible, to reproduce it.

I'm 49.

Answer 2

I am 37 and I do believe that children should begin learning a second language in 1st grade if not sooner. Our brains are open to pick up any language when we are babies. By about 2 years old that window of opportunity closes and we focus on the language(s) we are exposed to. As we get older it is harder to pick up other languages. It makes no sense that in the US we wait until high school or later to learn languages. Studies support that the younger we are when we learn languages the easier it is to learn it. There have also been studies with 1st graders learning sign language while learning to read. It does not confuse children instead it seems to help them learn written language when a visual sign is attached to it. I know it's more than you wanted to know but I find this very interesting.

Answer 3

Yes, I think it's good for young children to begin a new language because they have the ability to learn better and faster than older people. From toddlers to 15 years old, you learn a language better and faster, after that it is more difficult, but certainly not impossible.

2nd grade? Maybe, but I think waiting maybe one more year (?)

Answer 4

I'm 32 and I think that children should be taught another language at an early age. When we are young, we are better able to absorb language, and it's just overall easier to learn a new language young.

Answer 5

look, i'm 10 and i live in mexico (but i'm american) so you don't have to take my advice but this is what i think.
I think that kids should learn a second language as soon as the learn how to speak, read and write their first language. But thats just what I think.

Answer 6

i'm 25.school children in greece learn a 2nd language in 3rd grade and a 3rd language in 5th grade!!!and they do just fine!!

Answer 7

Yes, it is much easier to learn stuff when you're young. I'm 20.

Answer 8

Of course. I'm 57.

Answer 9

no way childre have enough to worry with to make them learn a different lanugage is crazy its hard enough to teach them english,have u heard how they talk latly...