Preschool Has Vetter Foreign Language Learners - Essay Example

Preschool has better foreign language learners This paper articulates on the importance of learning foreign languagesespecially to school going children. Moreover, it analyzes the various factors that affects and influence the learning process for children aged between three and four years. Finally, it cites examples of successful learning process in western countries. Preschool has better foreign language learners Apparently, language is known as one of the most important communication tools across the world. As such, a contentious debate has existed on when is the best time and age for children to learn a foreign language. Supporters of the argument base their facts on school going children having the best brain development to handle a foreign language while opposers argue that they are too young to handle a foreign language. Interestingly, most communities feel obliged to teach their children the first language immediately the children are presumed to understand their first language. Nevertheless, once the children attain school age, then they are thought to be the best foreign learners. The learning of foreign languages for school going children had always being known to be cumbersome activities since most schools and parents are more concerned with how fluent children would handle their first languages. Nevertheless, recent research has confirmed that the preferred period for learning any other language apart from the first language was during their school life when they were between the age of three and four years. Language learning is stipulated as a natural process when children are at their tender age. As such, children are more likely to learn a foreign language through other activities that are directly related to leaning such as playing and exploration. In light of this, children growing in environments that are well rounded are more likely to speak approximately2000 basic words when they are at the age of four years. Nevertheless, adults who have attempted to learn a foreign language have experienced notable challenges especially in remembering or reciting foreign verbs. This is purely so because adult memory is less capable of handling new languages. The first three years of human life could be termed as fundamental since the foundations of thinking language, vision, attitude among other necessities in human beings are eventually built. In reference to this, it is advisable that children are given the opportunity to utilize their natural ability to learn and get exposure of another language other than the first. Numerous studies have demonstrated a higher probability of learning a foreign language more easily at this age as opposed to other human developmental stages. Notably, the first few years of life constitute approximately 50 percent of the general development of human beings, while the rest of the development constitutes 30 percent. Hence, first few years of life could be argued as those that have the fundamentals of forming the learning pathways in the brain. Learning especially in children could be through sound, sight, taste, smell, touch and action. Although these learning methods could be generally used in all human beings, they are best utilized at an early age. Scholars affiliated to brain development stages have pointed out the general development process, which mainly concentrate on areas such as the first month, eighth month, age of ten years and at 12 years. Interestingly, there had been unique cases of migrants being in a better position to handle foreign languages as compared to the native and they only struggle with the polishing aspect. For instance, in the U.S it is argued that most teaching facilities concentrate with teaching foreign languages to student after they have joined high school. However, scholars affiliated to learning and brain study have retaliated that teaching of foreign languages should be concentrated more at the preschool so as to maximize on the willingness and ability to learn what is present at the time. Actually, at the time of joining high school it is expected that an optimum period of learning is lost. Hence, teaching a foreign language at such a time means that the activity might be challenging and cumbersome to handle. Basically, most parts of the world and especially the western countries have continuously registered the success of foreign languages. One country experiencing such kind of involvement is Sweden. Apparently, it has been documented that most migrant school in Sweden have children aged between three and four years who are capable of communicating in three different languages quickly and in an efficient manner. Sweden has the highest rates of literacy because the teaching criterion used is sensory stimulation and play, which are mostly incorporated in the learning process. In reference to brain development for learning activities, scientists have affirmed that children born healthy have approximately 100 billion brain cells that consist of about 20,000 connections. However, the survival of these cells is mainly influenced by environment factors subjected to the children. Needless to mention, it is recommended that children who are learning a foreign language be subjected to environments that high levels of sensory stimulation. It is for undoubted reasons that the learning process especially for children could be challenging when it comes to foreign languages. Basically, the learning process for children is best when seeing, listening, imitating and practicing. Additionally, it is important as teachers to let the children understand what they are going through and offer some learning aid that are related to the languages. Of most important is that fun should be incorporated in the learning since the human being brain is thought to work best when in a relaxed environment. It is for undoubted reason for human beings to live without communication. Moreover, various languages exist in different parts of the world where human beings are expected to learn in order to communicate. Thus, language learning is very crucial especially when it goes beyond the first language to the second or even a third language like in the case of Sweden among other countries. As such, the learning must be done in the right environment and at the right age in order to be effective. Read More