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Kids & Family

Why Your Child Should Learn a Language

Learning a language at a young age has a host of benefits. Read about them here!

Benefits of Learning a Language

While a second language can be learned at any age, there are several benefits to starting early. Studies show that children who learn a language before reaching adolescence are more likely to have native-like pronunciation. A number of experts attribute this proficiency to physiological changes that occur in the maturing brain as a child enters puberty. Can you recall attempting to learn a second language in high school, struggling to properly mimic an accent? Children find it much easier to do so.

Even More Benefits

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Learning another language is great for working one’s cognitive skills. “Using another language provides the brain built-in exercise. You don’t have to go out of your way to do a puzzle because the brain is already constantly juggling two languages,” researcher Dr. Victoria Marian states. Children who learn a language early on have improved overall school performance, superior problem-solving skills, and are better at solving complex problems.

Depending on how language instruction is administered, children can also gain a deeper sense of different cultures. Learning a language can be fun! With engaging activities, eating foods from a particular ethnic group, watching videos and more, children can learn the similarities and differences they share with others.

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