Children Learning a Second Language—The Main Benefits
While English may be the main or core subject taught at international schools in Asia, you’ll notice that more and more of these schools now provide the opportunity for students to learn another—or even multiple—language(s).
If you’re an adult and have tried to learn another language, you know firsthand just how difficult it can be as you get older. However, for children—especially very young ones—they are much more likely to learn another language, and at a faster rate. Scientifically, this is because children’s brains are more ‘elastic’ than those of teens or adults and their prefrontal cortex is still developing, which makes it easier for them to learn things quicker.
Introducing your child to new and different languages at a young age has many benefits. So, if you’re on the fence as to whether or not you should enroll your child in a second language class, or bilingual program like the French or German ones we offer at FSB, we’re here to lay out why learning a second language is beneficial for your child to help you make the right decision!
Is Learning a Second Language Beneficial for Your Child?
If you’ve been wondering, is learning a second language beneficial for your child? The short answer to this question is, yes! From strengthened soft skills, to improved academic performance, keep reading to discover the main benefits your child will gain by learning more than their native language.
Strengthened Soft-skills
Soft skills are important for students to learn at a young age because they help them learn to work well with others. When children learn additional, or other languages, they develop these types of skills, such as; problem-solving, critical thinking, listening, time-management, patience, self-confidence, communication, and work-ethic. All of these soft skills are crucial for your child’s development and future success as an adult.
Improved Performance in Other Academic Areas
Any environment where your child is learning is a positive one, but specifically learning a new language and how to speak to their peers in that language helps improve their communication skills, which transfers over to other academic areas. Additionally, by learning another language, your child’s cognitive function will improve. This leads to the strengthened problem solving skills we mentioned above, as well as enhanced long and short-term memory function—all necessary for their other academic classes.
Enhanced Empathy, Curiosity, and Cultural Sensitivity
When your child learns a new language, they most likely aren’t just learning the words, but about the culture and history as well. This gives them a greater understanding of the world around and teaches them to be more culturally aware, empathetic, and sensitive. On top of this, children who learn new languages have been found to be more curious about the world and cultures around them.
FSB’s French & German Bilingual Options
Now that you understand the importance of bilingual or multilingual education and the benefits it provides your child, the next step would be enrolling them in a good language program. At FSB, we are proud to be the only pre-school in Bangkok to offer French and German Bilingual Programmes. We continue to strive to nurture your child and help them develop these languages. If you’d like your child to learn—or continue learning—these languages, contact us today.
Want to learn more about our French and German Bilingual Programmes?
