6 Reasons Your Kids Should Learn a New Language (and Tools to Get Started)
Globalization is here and kids are not immune to its implications and consequences (positive and negative).
The rise of digital connectivity and cultural exchange has transformed the way we interact with the world around us. A message or social media post can be created anywhere in the world and distributed globally in seconds.
So, why should kids learn new languages, no matter where they live?
With the rise of remote work, companies can be created and staffed anywhere in the world. Our kids are already part of a global community and as a result, being bilingual is no longer just advantageous — it’s becoming a necessity.
In the US alone, citizens speak over 350 languages and it’s been projected that, by 2025, one in four students in US schools will be an English Learner.
Thanks to some great advances in resources and language learning research, helping your kids learn a new language has never been easier.
Before we go over tips for foreign language acquisition as well as language learning tools for children, it’s helpful to understand the many reasons why your kids should learn a foreign language.
Benefits of Learning a New Language for Kids
Multilinguality has emotional, cognitive, and even financial benefits and the research is there to back it up. Read on for a few of the many positive impacts of language skills.
1. Cognitive Development
Foreign language learning stimulates cognitive functions, enhances problem-solving abilities, and may help children not only develop critical thinking skills but listening skills as well.
Research shows that bilingual individuals often demonstrate greater cognitive flexibility and creativity, giving them a distinct advantage in navigating life’s many challenges.
Fascinatingly, studies also show that bilingualism can help protect against age-related cognitive decline, with older bilingual people often demonstrating better memory and executive control.
2. Improved Academic Performance
Proficiency in multiple languages has been linked to improved academic performance across subjects. Bilingual children tend to excel in tasks that require attention, memory, and multitasking, leading to success in both linguistic and non-linguistic subjects. Who doesn’t want that for their kids?
3. Cultural Understanding
A new language can be the bridge that opens up your child’s mind to something new. It’s not merely a tool for communication but a way to understand different cultures and perspectives.
By learning a new language, children gain insight into diverse cultural traditions, customs, and values. That insight allows them to foster empathy and openness, and it promotes global citizenship.
4. Enhanced Career Opportunities
Your six (or sixteen) year-old may not be thinking about ways to beef up their resume. However, it’s worth noting that proficiency in multiple languages opens doors to a wide range of career benefits.
Multinational corporations, international organizations, and global markets value employees who can communicate effectively across language barriers. They value them by offering expanded roles, preferences in the job market, and even higher pay than their monolingual counterparts.
5. Lifelong Learning and Professional Growth
Embracing language learning as a lifelong pursuit empowers young people to adapt to evolving norms, both socially and professionally. Beyond immediate career prospects, proficiency in multiple languages facilitates ongoing personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to engage with new ideas, cultures, and opportunities throughout their lives.
Encouraging your kids to learn a new language not only equips them with practical skills but it encourages a broader perspective on the life they can lead.
6. Native Language and Greater Appreciation
Your young child may not be able to fully grasp the implications of connecting to your family’s roots until later, but one day they might look back and see what a beautiful and valuable journey they embarked on in doing so. They may gain lifelong respect toward your family’s cultural norms and may develop more cultural sensitivity in the process.
Not only does this make language learning fun but it ties it to a profound understanding of their identity and place in the world.
Tips to Help Kids Become Language Learners
The journey of language acquisition with your children can be an exciting and rewarding experience. But it can be a daunting one to start. Will they be successful? Will they get frustrated? Can I help? What if I only know one language? How do I make it fun for both of us to learn new words?
Not to worry. Below are some of our favorite methods to make foreign language learning engaging and effective.
1. Use Flashcards and Vocabulary Practice
Simple but effective, flashcards are a versatile tool for building vocabulary and reinforcing language skills. Create flashcards (or purchase online here – affiliate link) with words or phrases in the target language paired with corresponding images to enhance retention.
To make the process more engaging for you and your kids, you can create vocabulary games and review games that will make the learning both effective and fun. To get you inspired, check out this blog post explaining five language-learning flashcard games.
2. Consider Language Classes or Tutors
Enrolling your child in language classes or hiring a tutor (see tutoring options here) can provide structured instruction tailored to their individual learning needs. Whether in-person or online, qualified language instructors can guide your child through language fundamentals, pronunciation, grammar, and conversation practice in an easily accessible learning environment.
3. Dive into Immersive Learning
Create opportunities for authentic new language experiences. Explore cultural festivals, attend language immersion camps, or participate in exchange programs where your child can interact with native speakers and practice language skills in real-life contexts. Grab a bite at a restaurant serving international cuisine and encourage your child to order in the language they’re studying.
Exposure to authentic language usage increases both fluency and cultural understanding. Because of this, some school districts even provide immersive language programs you can enroll your children in!
4. Explore Language Learning Tools
Technology can make learning foreign languages accessible and engaging for your child. Language learning apps offer interactive lessons, games, and activities that cater to different learning styles and proficiency levels.
From vocabulary drills to immersive storytelling, these apps provide a fun and convenient way to teach children language skills anytime, anywhere. Let’s take a look at some of the best tools available.
The Best Tools for Learning New Languages for Kids
There is a plethora of resources and tools available to support children in their language learning journey. Here are some of our favorites:
With its gamified approach to language learning, Duolingo makes acquiring new language skills fun and engaging for children. With quick, bite-sized lessons, they’ll earn points and unlock new levels while gaining real-world communication skills.
Duolingo helps kids build vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and develop basic language proficiency in a variety of languages.
Designed specifically for young learners, Rosetta Stone introduces children to the fundamentals of language through playful activities and games. From letter recognition to basic vocabulary, this interactive app lays a solid foundation for language learning in a colorful and interactive format.
The subscription service includes progress monitoring tools, offline connectivity, and asynchronous lessons.
Mango offers a comprehensive platform with courses in over 70 languages, making it suitable for children of all ages and language levels.
This platform works on an adaptive algorithm that matches the content to your children’s learning styles. Through engaging lessons, cultural insights, and interactive exercises, Mango Languages immerses kids in authentic language experiences and drives toward proficiency in a fun and interactive way.
Muzzy BBC provides a wealth of free resources and activities designed to make language learning enjoyable and accessible for children. The program works by teaching through stories that feature the character Muzzy. The stories use the natural immersion method, modeled after the way children learn their first language. From interactive games and videos to printable worksheets and cultural insights, Muzzy offers a diverse range of tools to support children in their language learning journey. Plus, Muzzy’s been around since the 80s, so you might enjoy a nice trip down memory lane when you see this familiar character.
Encouraging Your Kids to Learn a New Language
By encouraging our kids to learn a new language, we’re not just equipping them with practical skills—we’re nurturing a broader perspective and enriching their lives in profound ways. As adults, we can easily wrap our heads around the reasons why, and even strategies to, learn a new language.
However, long-term gains aren’t at the top of kids’ decision-making processes, so there is one final piece of advice to pass along: However you choose to embark on this language-learning journey, remember to do so with patience and positivity!
Stay connected with Ed2Grow for more valuable insights and resources to help you navigate the joys and challenges of working with kids. Your journey matters, and we’re here to support you.
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