E-Kids Multi Linguistic

Give a chance to your child to learn many languages and improve their cognitive and social-emotional skill. If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart.

Research has shown that there are many benefits in being able to speak more than one language. Learning multiple languages challenges the brain and improves cognitive and social-emotional development, learning, and the chances for long-term success.

Accent:It has already been established that children who learn a language when they are very young, have a better chance of not having a “foreign” accent, when speaking another language. Research from a team at the University of Washington, which focuses specifically on childhood speech perception, has noted that as we get older, it is harder to pick up additional languages with native-like pronunciation. Thus, one very compelling reason to start children off with another language at a young age is to give them the gift of a native accent!

10,000 hours:Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers argues that to learn something well, it takes at least 10,000 hours of time on task (based on a study by  Anders Ericsson) as well as the opportunity to learn the given task. It is hard for an adult to find 10,000 hours to devote to language learning.  However, if we were to start in childhood, then 10,000 hours spread over many years (or a lifetime) doesn’t sound so bad; does it? Children beginning early, with language learning,get the“leg up”, that will help them to succeed in mastering a language. In addition, using more than one language over a lifetime is the key behind the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, that research has shown.

Enjoyment:Young children enjoy learning. They don’t care if an activity will improve their cognitive ability or motor skills. They just want to jump in and have a great time doing it. This approach is true for children learning a new language. We would never try introducing high school students to a foreign language via children’s nursery rhymes, silly songs and hand puppets while sitting in a circle on the carpet. Yet, for young children, this is the best way to go about it, because it makes language learning filled with fun. It is amazing to see how children up a new language quickly, while having fun!

Undaunted:The wonderful thing about young children is that they will give things a try without necessarily worrying, if it is right or not. This applies to language learning as well. Young childrenoften jump right in, to try out what they have learned without worrying about mistakes. They are eager to see the response they will get from other students and adults, when trying out their new words and vocabulary. It is an exciting and empowering experience for the children.

Support network:Young children have the opportunity for exposure and input from many different influences: parents, teachers, peers, and extended family. When both teacher and parent are on board with language learning, then children can be given language exposure, support and interaction all day long. A teacher can introduce words and songs in the class while the parent can reinforce what is being learnt at school by offering activities and language exposure at home through CDs, bilingual books, games, videos and more. In addition, young children don’t have to deal with the difficulties of self-motivation which high school students or adults face when trying to learn a new language!

Unexceptional:Introducing children to languages when they are young helps them accept the fact that bilingualism and multilingualism are normal in our world. Speaking more than one language shouldn’t be treated as something out of the ordinary. It is simply an element of belonging to our global society. When young children are exposed to other languages and cultures at a very young age through books, videos, songs and objects, they will have the opportunity to feel comfortable growing up in a world where languages and cultures intertwine on a daily basis.

Have an easier time:Learning other languages, thinking about language, developing strong thinking skills, and growing in other areas of cognitive development.

Benefit academically:They can switch between languages, helping them develop a more flexible approach to problem solving. It was also noted that, “The ability to read and think in two (or more) different languages promotes higher levels of abstract thought, which is important in learning.”

Diversify society by using their second language to build friendships.

Have more job opportunities than monolingual adults.