In addition, learning a second language improves fluid intelligence and “executive function” because you need to control the two languages you know. While communicating in one language, you need to manage and control the other language. Students who learn a foreign language perform significantly better on a variety of other popular forms of examination than those who take more frequent language courses such as the SAT.
Research has shown that bilinguals tend to be more creative thinkers than those who speak a language, and one study suggests that their brain functions may remain sharper as they age. This is great news for bilingual children who grow up in a bilingual home or are exposed to two or more languages at a young age. Because children learn languages much faster than adults, they can learn a second language at a young age and then spend their time in college specializing in a particular field they find interesting. Thus, these bilingual specialists can charge a lot of money to translate texts related to their experience. Bilinguals constantly experience mental training as they go through more than one language system to communicate. In the 20th century, researchers and educators advised against learning a second language.
The best way for a child to understand a new language is to listen to people who speak it fluently, Thibaut says. When you are exposed to conversations, you will begin to absorb the sounds and natural accent. Choose a language spoken in your neighborhood, шведски език деца on a TV show that your child can watch regularly, or one that’s offered in classes or playgroups near you. “If you have a bilingual babysitter, encourage them to speak their native language exclusively with their child,” Rhodes says.
While the technical rules for a language are usually learned later in life, listening to different languages can help them learn those languages. If you’re trying to teach your child a second language, expose them to them. When they begin to acquire their native language, young children use their innate and instinctive language acquisition strategies that allow them to speak at such a young age.
The situation is similar with foreign languages: the younger the children are, the more they will rely on these innate strategies and be more successful. An example of this is children whose parents speak different mother tongues. These children will easily master both languages in early childhood. A good kid-friendly class should use songs, crafts, games, and other kid-friendly activities to teach the language. In a preschool Spanish class, for example, a teacher might give students to play with toy farm animals while teaching a song about them in Spanish. Older children can focus on activities such as cooking, puppetry, and folk dancing to develop conversational and vocabulary skills and learn about local culture.
People who are bilingual have also shown better critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and greater mental flexibility. One study even suggests that bilingual people have sharper brain functions as they age. Preparing your child with multiple language skills can help prepare for life as a well-rounded adult. While many parents strive for their relatives to help children teach their native language, it turns out that this can be challenging. As children get older, they often learn that they can get away with speaking English, and family members often prioritize understanding about teaching.