Children? Tell me what you think?

Question

Do you agree of disagree with the following statement? Children should begin learning a foreign lanuage as sonn as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Answer 1

I agree. Languages are very important. I'm not fond of learning them but I do it for the advantages it offers. English won't always be the main language. Things change. At one point everyone was speaking Latin. It's not a matter of accommodating people. It's about being open-minded enough to realize that English isn't at the centre of the universe.

As for examples, my sister was taught a second language when she was 4 years old. Now she speaks English, Italian, Polish, and French fluently. She can also recognize words and phrases in other languages that are similar. Since she speaks French and Italian, she can understand Spanish. Same goes for languages close to Polish.

I started learning another language in grade 4. I can't pick them up the way she does, but it helped.

Answer 2

I Agree.....With You B'coz A Childs Learning Power Is Much Strong When He's A Child...As He Grows His Learning Power Decreases n QWhat A Child Learns In His Childhood Stays With Him Through His Whole Course Of Life.......So I Think If A Child Learns A Foreign Lang. As Soon As He Starts His School Thn He Will Ofcourse Be Confident When He SpeaksIt B'coz Of A Long Experience

Answer 3

I absolutely agree. Young children learn languages much more quickly than older children. Learning is never bad for a child and a second language or culture can only make your child a more well rounded person. You can also think about your child's future. Companies really value bi-lingual employees. I guess what I'm saying is that there is no good reason for a child not to learn a second language. I certainly can't hurt.

Answer 4

I think it's a wonderful idea. It is true that the younger a child is the easier it is for him/her to learn a 2nd language. It is even possible for a child to learn 2 languages at the same time (for example, if the child lives in a bilingual home). I personally believe that knowing a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th, etc.) language can only be a benefit. It provides an additional gateway to more places, people and experiences. And that's a wonderful thing to provide our children with.

Answer 5

I agree! My foster child knows how to "speak" sign language fairly well and as soon as I can get him into a foreign language...spanish (the "second" language spoken in the MW) I will. Just for the simple reason is that he will need to know how to communicate with all the NON ENGLISH speaking people who live here!

Live in America = Learn English!

Answer 6

Of course children should learn other languages as soon as they start school. Earlier even. It is well documented that children who are exposed to a second language early on accel in learning languages, and it aides other cognitive development as well. It would probably help with English grammar as well. (I have a deeper understanding of English grammar since I started speaking Italian)
And as far as foreigners who won't learn to speak English, well, I'm sorry, that's a separate issue. Any American who speaks more than one language is just educating themselves.

Answer 7

YES!!!!! I actually tell SO many people this and they get mad at me.
They state that they have so much on their plate already. Well, research shows that a child has a MUCH easier time learning a second language if they start early. Make it part of their daily routine, and they should have no problem. If you teach your kid a useful language like Chinese or Spanish, then they will be MUCH more valuable in the workplace.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you beacuse the younger a person is the easier it will be to learn any foreign language, and even if it's not really in deep knowledge but just to teach them the basics so when they have to learn it later in middle school/highschool it'll be way easier for them.

Answer 9

My 4 year old son, whom I have taught a little bit too here and there along the way knows a little french, a little spanish and english ( it's the first language) .. my second son ( who is now 1.5) knows as much french and spanish as my 4 year old does, just from listening to the lessons of my 4 year old.

Had I started teaching my older son earlier, he would be better.. I know that my youngest son is going to be better.. because he's learning earlier.

Answer 10

Absolutely disagree! It's fine where it is - starting in junior high school. English is a complicated enough language to learn. And well, it's bad enough that today's teenagers do not even have a grasp on the English language - oral or written. Those elementary school years are way too important to add another language into the fray.