Should Children Learn a Foreign Language?

The 21^st century has seen a revolution in the way humans communicate with each other. The importance of learning foreign languages has received great impetus among working professionals in recent years. While knowledge of a foreign tongue can be an asset in business or tourism, research indicates that learning a second language during childhood is more beneficial.

Studies in linguistics have asserted that language is not merely a verbal activity, but a cognitive one. Learning a foreign tongue helps strengthen the brain, and opens it to newer possibilities. Better problem solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity are characteristics seen among multilingual children. The more the brain is exercised, the sharper it gets.

Learning a foreign language at a younger age also has linguistic benefits. Children respond to it in the same way they would their mother tongue. Pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary skills are better inculcated, and children do not have to struggle with accent barriers or self-consciousness. In contrast, learning a language later in life would require double the effort, as an adult would have to unlearn previous grammar and muscle patterns to accommodate the second language.

Furthermore, learning a foreign language enriches a person culturally. It broadens the child’s perspective, builds an appreciation for diversity, and breaks the borders of race and ethnicity, all at a tender age. It also offers additional career opportunities later in life.

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory suggests that the experiences of a child, till the age of 6, have the ability to determine his personality. Learning a foreign tongue at this stage would ensure the child retains its benefits in the long run.

Children should be given the opportunity to learn a foreign language so as to equip them with the right cognitive and cultural abilities, and be conscientious citizens of the world.

- Maryam Shaikh

Comments

The Girl Who Sold A Basket

THE GIRL WHO SOLD A BASKET Every morning my father made me go to the station at Deoli and sell the baskets which my younger sister and I would make. Deoli is a very small station and only a few trains would pass by. Father had met with an accident a year ago, and ever since he has been unable to work at the wood factory. Selling baskets was the only means left for us to earn money. With what little we earned, we managed to survive. I was only fourteen then, and being the chirpy sort, I found it troublesome to sell baskets each day. The Deoli station hardly had any excitement; a tea stall, a fruit vendor, a newspaper seller and the office of the station master. That was all. No one got on the trains that passed, and no one got off. Summer was the only time I enjoyed my duty. Deoli itself didn't bring any change, but the trains did. The passengers were more and there would be more noise and more happenings. The trains would stop for the same ten minutes

The Call Of The Ocean

THE CALL OF THE OCEAN The sound of the gushing waves, Brought a smile to her young face. Running to the window, She witnessed Nature's grace. She placed her hands against the window pane, Far away, she noticed something coming her way. Wiping her tears, she gazed on, earnestly, At the Ocean spread all around - O what a wonderful scene! The rays of the sun danced on the ship's mast, Just like a net, on the ship - it's Light it had cast. Curiosity took over the little girl's mind, Behind the glass, is it not beauty that she'll find? In the dark of the night she listens to that Voice, Every night it says to her: Make Your Choice. With open arms, I call out to you, I yearn for dreamers, just like you. The waters receded, giving her a chance to speak, Ocean, do not be mistaken, for my dream is weak. Never will I be able to break these bonds, The view from here is more than I could want. On this the Ocean rose once more, Trying to move across the shore. Don't yo

Drought

DROUGHT There is no use, whining and complaining. You do not hear our meek, feeble voices. While you dance and rejoice in cool cascades, Burnt, barren - I lay on the blazing sand. Last summer did I harrow through the dirt, Digging deeper into my six feet pit, Sowing kernels I will never watch bloom - A meagre inheritance for my son What use is it now to keep that scarecrow? No yield remains for birds to snatch and steal. I have stood with my arms outstretched, waiting To be but denied by God's scavengers. So let me stand before this pleasant noose - A fertile ring against desolation. - Maryam Kaleem A late upload - dedicated to those farmers who have suffered due to the drought in recent years. Monsoon is here now, Alhamdulillah. I pray it rains enough. I pray our farmers live a happy, prosperous life. I pray they escape persecution. I pray they never have to take such drastic steps to have their voice heard.

Learning to Breathe

Search This Blog