Written By: Accu Mariam, English Teacher
I have often heard my uncles who are abroad, sharing their experience about their kids who confuses themselves with their parent’s mother tongue and English. These kids who hear the mother tongue of their parents tend to start their language with it. But later on their school going siblings or even pre-school influence takes them away from mother tongue and they get totally confused to utter words, where they mix up both the languages. This situation becomes much more confusing when the kid has a nanny who speaks a language other than the mother tongue or English.
In fact, early childhood is the best possible time to learn a second language. Children who experience two languages from birth typically become native speakers of both, while adults often struggle with second language learning and rarely attain native-like fluency.
It is said that babies learn sounds of languages in a very early stage i.e. even when they are in their mother’s womb. Sounds surprising, isn’t it? Truly. A baby recognizes its mother’s voice and distinguishes between its mother tongue and other language when it is born.
There are so many benefits of learning two languages. Learning two languages is like a mental work-out; it boosts brain power
It is true that bilingualism is confusing to toddlers; still its advantages are many. Many children learn more than one language. Some learn even more than two. Studies show that children with better language skills, in any language, are more likely to:
Develop their brain better.
Have stronger bonds with their parents.
Have better communication skills.
Be better prepared for school.
Parents all around the world think that bilingualism tends to confuse their children’s language abilities. So they immediately switch to the language which they are in need and stops using mother tongue. Babies all over the world learn to speak two languages with success. Learning a second language can happen at any age and in different environments (at home, at daycare, at school, in the community).Bilingual children reach language milestones at the same age as children learning one language. But we can’t expect them to reach the same level of skills in both languages as a child who only has one language. Becoming bilingual takes time. It is said that the best time to learn two languages is before the age of 7.
Learning two languages at the same time from birth (simultaneous learning): Some children learn two languages before the age of 3.Learning a second language after learning a first language (sequential learning): Some children learn one language at a time. The second language is usually learned after the age of 3. The second language can be learned at daycare, at school or by a family member.
Learning two languages at home does not cause confusion or a language problem in young children. Children need to hear and practice speaking each language often to be good at it. Children learn language best from people who speak that language well. If parents don’t speak English fluently, they should use their first language. Learning one language well is better than hearing and learning two languages poorly. By knowing a first language well, children can more easily learn a second language outside of their home like at daycare, school and other community programs.
Children learning a second language may:
Use one language more than the other. It happens when the child is exposed more to any one of the language.
Make mistakes in the new language until they learn all the rules.
Mix up words of both the languages in making a sentence.
Loose the first language.
Learning two languages takes time and practice. So, keep using your first language at home. Talk to your child often in first language. Read, play and sing to help develop and keep your child’s first language.
There are so many benefits of learning two languages. Learning two languages is like a mental work-out; it boosts brain power. Studies show that being bilingual makes the brain stronger, mainly in the areas of ‘language’, ‘memory’ and ‘attention’. These children:
Have better language & listening skills.
Are better at reading and writing.
Are more creative.
Are better at multitasking skills.
Have a sharper memory.
Are better at solving problems.
Have a chance to make more friends.
Find better jobs later in life
Seriously, it can be analyzed that multiple language learning is confusing to children at early stages. But not letting them learn languages simultaneously will not help them. On the other hand it is a great boon to the intellectual and social development of a child. So, let them learn. Help them learn.
Comments