Why should our children learn another language?

We live in a globalized world. Currently, we can easily go online and meet other people from different cultural backgrounds. Moreover, sometimes having success in life has as a factor having learned another language. Parents and teachers should know why this is so important and how to achieve it. The following is a list of the most important reasons why children should learn another language:

1. The children can become better students in general.

Learning another language doesn’t mean that our kids will only perform well in that language. In fact, it has been shown that academic performance improves substantially when the young person learns an additional language. According to a meta-study made by researchers at the University of Maine, learning a second language meant that children improved their skills at reading, social studies, English literacy, and even math! And bilingual children will generally score better than their uni-lingual counterparts in standardized tests.

2. They will be better at if they start soon.

The sooner a child starts learning a second language, the better he will grasp it. Whether it is pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, the newly developed brain of an infant is in top condition to learn things fast and learn them correctly. As the person grows old, so does his ability to learn new languages.

3. It can give them more opportunities in the future.

A young person that knows two or more languages has a significantly greater chance to have more opportunities whether in study or work as an adult. A common example we have today is when people who know Chinese become successful in international trade. Your child doesn’t have to restrict himself to learning Chinese and studying international commerce. Any other language can broaden his scope in the future.

How motivate our children to learn another language?

Learning another language can be something that kids will really enjoy doing if we know how to motivate them correctly. Here are some ways to make the process smooth and pleasant for both us and our kids:

1. Social Influence.

There is nothing more powerful than social influence. When your child sees that other kids are also learning a new language he will be more lured to it than if he were to start it alone. If you have nephews or know about other children who are already in an institute, the best thing you can do is to let your child interact with them. If you don’t know anyone, you can always meet new people who have children who are looking forward to learning a new language too.

2. Modeling.

If you happen to know a second language already, you can spark an interest in them by showing him how interesting it is to learn one. When they see you reading books in another language, or watching TV shows in a foreign language, they can awaken that same interest in them. If you don’t speak another language, then regularly inviting someone to your home who do speak it and highlighting its importance can also do the trick.

3. Games

Today there are unlimited games available from pretty much any major language. Whether they are puzzles, toys, or flashcards with the latest cartoons, associating learning another language with having fun can boost your kid’s motivation towards it. One simple game that anyone can do at home is “hangman”. This game will help your child improve his vocabulary while providing him with entertainment.

Teachers and parents should understand that a young one has to be empowered to learn something new in order for him to have the greatest success. Showing him how important (or fun) learning a new language is, can give him an internal drive of his own that will leave parents surprised. 

Gracias,

The team of
OnlineFreeSpanish.com
A fun way to learn Spanish
Especially for kids of all ages.

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