kids pick up languages best from age 3
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Kids pick up languages best from age 3

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Kids pick up languages best from age 3

Dubai - Arabstoday

The UK government’s decision to introduce mandatory foreign language lessons to school children from age seven is being taken too late, believes Dubai-based education advisor, Micheline Habib. Children acquire foreign languages best in the first three to four years of their lives, she says. “The earlier children begin to learn a language, the easier it will be for them to acquire the fundamentals of the language,” she says. “The learning of foreign languages should begin before age seven, but even after, it’s not too late, because children are able to learn languages easily up to the age of 11.” According to Habib, children do not learn, but acquire information given to them, a process that speeds up acquisition of information as compared to learning which is more than just acquiring. “When adults learn a foreign language, they ask a lot of questions about it,” she says. “[On the other hand], learning is a natural process for children, which is why it’s easier for them to pick up languages from people around them.” Under the new reforms in the UK, the languages to be introduced into the curriculum are Mandarin, Latin and Greek. Which raises the question of how the students will polish their language skills at home, given that not many parents are at ease with classical languages these days. Says Micheline, “It would be better if children got a chance to practise the language outside of school but modern technology offers good resources on the internet to help enhance language learning.” Habib refers to Emirati children she has worked with who attend a Chinese school in the UAE. “These kids are learning English, Arabic and Mandarin intensively,” she says. “They are not exposed to Mandarin at home, but they are learning it successfully and moving from one level to the next.” The UK reforms, she believes, are a step forward. “To learn a foreign language as a child also makes the brain ready at any point later in life to learn a new language and be open to new ideas.” Researchers are still debating on how many languages children can learn successfully, says Habib. Some argue the ability is limitless, while others believe the maximum language capacity is five. “I’d have to agree with the research that says a child can easily acquire up to five languages before the age of seven,” she says. “Children are flexible and they do not overthink, so if they are exposed to a language, they will definitely pick it up.” From: Gulfnews

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

kids pick up languages best from age 3 kids pick up languages best from age 3

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

kids pick up languages best from age 3 kids pick up languages best from age 3

 



GMT 12:48 2016 Sunday ,27 November

Cilic, Dodig push Croatia to brink of Davis Cup

GMT 05:24 2017 Thursday ,28 December

Erdogan says 'terrorist' Assad cannot be part of Syria

GMT 12:59 2016 Saturday ,05 November

WB welcomes economic reforms in Egypt

GMT 18:40 2016 Saturday ,05 November

Egyptian GDRs in London down

GMT 10:57 2017 Wednesday ,06 December

Peru striker Guerrero has doping ban extended

GMT 17:51 2017 Tuesday ,07 March

Trump Signs New Travel Ban on Six Muslim Countries

GMT 10:30 2017 Wednesday ,06 September

Saudi Information Ministry praises media role during Hajj

GMT 15:29 2017 Tuesday ,24 January

Mind games really do help your brain

GMT 06:55 2015 Thursday ,01 October

Boston Red Sox beat Yankees

GMT 08:17 2017 Monday ,28 August

Bahrain celebrates World Humanitarian Day 2017

GMT 02:07 2017 Tuesday ,28 February

Opposition seeks Russian support at Syria talks
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday