Why Should Children Learn English Early?
In today's digitally driven world, the growing prevalence of English in daily life makes early language learning a valuable asset for children. As an international language and the most second language spoken globally, English proficiency is deemed a necessity. Research suggests that commencing language education at an early age offers numerous advantages for young learners.
Let’s explore some of the advantages that an early language learning can provide your child.
- Effortless learning
Children's unique brain mechanisms, as explored by Newport (1990), enable them to absorb language effortlessly. Their focus on small linguistic elements, like phonemes and morphemes, allows gradual construction of words and grammar. The mechanism contrasts with adults, who process language as a whole, making early language acquisition more intuitive for children, especially when forming words and mastering grammar.
- Cognitive Development
Early English learning contributes to cognitive development. It stimulates brainpower, enhancing focus and memory, as a study by Thomas Bak (2022, as cited in Pax, 2023) indicates that young language learners excel in attention and concentration tests.
- Academic Development
Moreover, academic growth is relevant to early second-language acquisition. Pax (2022) reveals that young learners proficient in a second language tend to maintain high academic performance, often outperforming their monolingual peers.
- Enhanced Communication and Social Skills
Early exposure to English fosters enhanced communication and social skills. Children engaging with people from diverse backgrounds gain a global perspective, promoting social understanding. Bamford & Mizokawa (1991) emphasize that the ability to communicate across cultures becomes a lifelong advantage.
In conclusion, the benefits of early English language learning encompass effortless learning, cognitive development, academic excellence, and enhanced social skills, providing children with a solid foundation for future success in our interconnected world.
Contributor: Rosa Galuh Kristanti
Sources:
Bamford K W, Mizokawa D T. Additive-bilingual (immersion) education: Cognitive and language
development[J]. Language Learning, 1991, 41(3): 413-429.
Pan, Chenxing. (2023). The Effect of Learning a Second Language at an Early Stage. Journal of Education Humanities and Social Sciences, 8:1854-1859. DOI:10.54097/ehss.v8i.4596
Newport, E. L. (1990). Maturational constraints on language learning. Cognitive Science, 14, (1), 11–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/0364-0213(90)90024-Q