Three Common Misconceptions
About Early Language Learning
A multitude of American preschools are now teaching Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, while select private programs offer foreign language instruction for children from six months up. Children are learning with home programs, enrolled in after school programs and an increasing number now get an introduction to a second language in their elementary school classroom.
Despite this growing trend, some parents still struggle with the idea of introducing a second language before their child has mastered his first. Are there any adverse consequences to teaching a second language like Spanish or Chinese to children too soon? Will it slow down their ability to learn English?
Advanced technology, like MRI brain imaging, has made this an exciting time for researchers studying children and languages. There is more information available than ever before. And, as scientists learn still more, one fact remains very clear. All of the scientific evidence points to children having nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain by learning a second language.
Let’s talk about three of the most common misconceptions about teaching second languages to children. Read more.
Sincerely,
Katie Lagana
Early Advantage |