Jang Jun Hwa, Early instruction on foreign language

Jang Jun Hwa

200802967

Intermediate English Writing (1)

Early foreign language education First draft

 

 

Are You Not Having a Hard Time Learning Foreign Languages?

 

             270. Do you know what this number stands for? It stands for the number of kindergartens in Korea where English education is a top priority. Roughly 270 kindergartens teach English "legally" What if the number of preschools, which are not actually allowed to mainly teach English, is counted? It must be increasing dramatically. Also, there are many kindergartens to put emphasis on teaching foreign languages such as Chinese and Japanese. I think the reason why more parents send their children to the language-centered preschools is obvious. Because it works! It has several advantages to teach preschoolers foreign languages.

             When babies who are under 5 acquire their native language, their right brain is used. It is not learning. They simply remember what to hear without knowing the meaning. Still, they will soon speak and understand their first language. It is related to a child's innate linguistic ability. Likewise, when acquiring second languages, babies use their right brain as well. It means that babies do not need an effort to know them. On the other hand, children above the age of 5 use the left brain to "learn" the languages. It will take more time and efforts learning foreign languages than mother tongue.

             Some people think that foreign language may interfere with learning native languages. However, in 2009, the study at Brussels Free Universities (ULB) in Belgium proved that it does not. The research team reported that the children, who are exposed to multilingual environment, are more likely to acquire the first and foreign languages effectively, than children exposed to one language.

             Early instruction on foreign languages has several merits in terms of language acquisition and a synergy effect for languages. Language is merely the vehicle to achieve what people want. Therefore, in the age of globalization, multilingual people can easily fulfill their dreams. We should give this opportunity to children. Teaching children foreign language is necessary. The point is how we teach, not whether we teach.