A group of individuals posits that children ought to learn a foreign dialect at primary school as opposed to secondary school. This essay aims to explore how the merits of early language learning eclipse the demerits.
On one hand, one of the major positives of learning a language at an early age is due to children’s remarkable capacity for language acquisition. To brief, their brains are highly adaptable and receptive, enabling them to absorb new linguistic patterns, including sounds, grammar, and vocabulary, than their older counterparts. Additionally, the advantages extend to easier acquisition of subsequent languages in secondary school or beyond, which holds particular significance in today’s interconnected society that places high value on multilingualism across academic, professional, and personal domains.
Furthermore, this learning provides social and cultural benefits too. Elaborating on this, Early exposure to diverse cultures in primary school, through foreign language learning, nurtures children’s knowledge, admiration, and global citizenship mindset.
On the other hand, one concern is the increased workload and potential pressure on young children. Introducing an international language require additional instructional time and resources, which could detract from other vital subjects while leading to stress and hindering their overall language development. Moreover, there is a possibility of interference with the mastery of the native language. In some instances, early exposure to a foreign language often results in mixing or discombobulation between the two languages, sabotaging the development of strong language skills in both vernaculars.
In conclusion, early language learning in primary school offers numerous advantages, including children’s enhanced language acquisition abilities, preparation for multilingualism, and development of cultural appreciation. While potential concerns exist regarding workload and language interference, the overall benefits overshadow these challenges.