Author: Mi primer inglés

Global trends in foreign language around the world.

In the last decade there has been an enormous increase and discussion around the new findings that give a lot of information about the importance of starting early when it comes to helping children acquire a foreign language.

The benefits of a bilingual or multilingual education are well documented and now we are more aware that it helps children gain cross cultural understanding and global awareness; it enhances academic progress in other subjects; it narrows achievement gaps; it benefits higher order, problem solving, abstract and creative thinking; it enriches and enhances cognitive, skills, and emotional development; it enhances children’s sense of achievement; it helps children score higher on standardized tests;it  improves their chances of college acceptance, achievement and attainment; it enhances career opportunities; and it benefits understanding and security in community and society.

Parents are responding to these new findings and know that one or more languages besides their children’s mother tongue will provide them with access to better opportunities around the world.

It is a fact that a common thing these days is the desire to help children become proficient in a language other than their native tongue.

As each economy around the world becomes increasingly international, the need and demand for foreign languages continues to grow.

According to information presented by EUROSTAT, UNESCO Institute for Statistics in almost all European countries, compulsory learning of a foreign language now begins in primary education. In some cases, there is even an earlier start, as it is the case in Spain where children learn a foreign language from the age of 3 as well as in the German-speaking community in Belgium.

Despite the rise of non-Western nations in today’s global economy, English is still the language most commonly used as the lingua franca of business, science, research, and politics and it is the most widely taught language in primary education according to these statistics. But for native English speakers, what we see is a tremendous increase in the teaching of Spanish. According to the Pew Research Spanish has become the most commonly foreign language spoken in the US with over 37.6 million people speaking it at home. Today Spanish has become the 2nd most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese, and is an official language in 21 countries. Some have even argued that it may become the international lingua franca. Interest in Spanish is also mounting in Asia – specifically China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India –  due to the growing importance of the language in global economic markets.

Meanwhile, there is also a global interest in the Chinese language given that it has the most speakers in the world, and the fact that China has become the world’s largest exporter and now the world’s second largest economy after the United States.

As one can see, the teaching of foreign languages to very young learners has acquired a significant importance all over the world. It is a need that brings new and interesting business opportunities. There is a greater demand of appropriate materials for teaching these or any other language to young children. There is an increased demand of early language learning centers and there is a great need for the training of language teachers that can deliver the new language materials in an appropriate and successful way.

When teaching a foreign language it is extremely important to begin with children in their early years, when their minds are still open to “catching” differences and fitting them inside their “thinking system”. So, what is learned is not only the new language, but an open mindedness and respect towards the differences between them and others in the world.

In a globalized world where we continuously come in contact with people from different cultures, it should be a common practice to learn foreign languages and to create a positive attitude towards everything that is “different” from one’s own culture.

As we continue to raise awareness of the importance of learning a foreign language early in life, LANGUAGES4KIDZ, INC.™ expects to set an example of good practice in every country.

Recent studies indicate that the best time for children to learn a foreign language is during their first six years of life. It is during this period that children develop a natural ability to learn.

Scientists suggest that when it comes to ease of learning and proficiency in a foreign language, earlier is better. There is a “window of opportunity” for easily acquiring additional languages from the moment a child is born.

Very young learners acquire a second language effortlessly, through hearing and experiencing lots of the target language, very much in the same way they acquire their mother tongue. Therefore, interaction is a critical part of this process.

Their pronunciation is more like that of a native speaker. Some experts believe this is due in part to physiological changes at puberty; by age 15, children’s facial muscles and bones are nearly mature, and their musculature loses sensitivity to phonetic distinctions that are not relevant to the languages they speak. A psychological factor may also be at work: Older children are more inhibited in trying out new sounds and more concerned about making mistakes.

Research has shown that learning a second language enhances intellectual development and improves overall school performance. Some studies suggest that children who study a foreign language tend to score higher on standardized tests. They are able to perform better in math and logic skills than children with just one language. There is also some evidence that foreign language students are more creative and better at solving complex problems.

Providing an early language exposure prepares children for success in their future. It enables them to form friendships worldwide. It opens their minds to more fully appreciate world literature and the arts. It opens doors to access greater career possibilities and enjoy much more traveling, but most important it simply gives them a different perspective; it opens their minds and enhances their respect for others and cross-cultural awareness.

Recent studies indicate that the best time for children to learn a foreign language is during their first three to four years of life. It is during this period that children develop a natural ability to learn. Scientists suggest that when it comes to ease of learning and proficiency in a foreign language, earlier is better. There is a “window of opportunity” for easily acquiring additional languages from the moment a child is born.

Research indicates that newborns are very receptive to the distinctive sounds of foreign languages. During the first six months of life, babies babble using 70 sounds that make up all the languages in the world. Research has proven that, during this early period, two languages can be learned simultaneously  as long as the child regularly interacts with speakers of both languages. From there on, children learn to talk using only the sounds and words they pick up from their surroundings and from their parents and caregivers and discard the ability to speak in languages they do not hear.

The benefits of teaching a foreign language to children as early as infants are numerous.

Very young learners acquire a second language effortlessly, through hearing and experiencing lots of the target language, very much in the same way they acquire their mother tongue. Therefore, interaction is a critical part of this process.

During this period children learn through play. They learn words and phrases, without noticing it, in a fun and natural way.

Early language learning can (with enough exposure) help children make neural connections that will allow them to develop advanced listening and speaking proficiency in the foreign language. Many researchers sustain that those neural connections remain to some degree, even if they are no longer exposed to the target language for some time.

Children’s first learning experience in any kind of formal or informal environment can significantly shape their attitudes toward learning in general, and specifically towards learning a foreign language. Therefore, early language learning needs to be meaningful, natural and fun so speaking the target language becomes as natural as speaking the mother tongue.

Providing an early language exposure prepares children for success in their future. It enables them to form friendships worldwide. It opens their minds to more fully appreciate world literature and the arts. It opens doors to access greater career possibilities and enjoy much more traveling, but most important it simply gives them a different perspective and cross-cultural awareness.

Reading to very young kids – tips for parents and teachers. This is the title of our latest video.

When teaching young kids a new language take some time to emphasize to parents each week the importance of reading to their children at home, not only in their native language but the target language, as well.

• Lay out a special story blanket and invite families to gather with you for Story time.
• Ask parents of younger children to cuddle them for this activity so as to help them feel safe and warm.
• Invite older children to gather in front of you. Make sure everyone is able to see the book.
• Present the book with lots of enthusiasm.
• Read slowly and clearly.
• Keep in mind you need to look both at the book and at the children.
• Read with expression, open your eyes wide look surprised and smile as you turn the pages.
• Use your voice in many ways. Pitch it higher or lower or use different voices and talk excitedly to catch children’s attention and make the book more interesting.
• Use different gestures. Focus on the illustrations and emphasize the rhythms and rhyming words as you read.
• Invite children to anticipate each page by using a “wonder, what’s next” look on your face.
• Point at the pictures and talk about the things children are looking at.
• As you close the last page of the book make gestures that indicate it is the end and say:All done! And then, Snip, snap snout, this tale’s told out!
• Start folding the story blanket and encourage older children to help you. Sing bye-bye to the book and the blanket.