There has been a renewed campaign in recent years to see foreign languages taught at primary school level, with ministers and education professionals calling for the need to expand education. This is because learning another language at an early age is seen to confer a wide range of benefits for young learners, in terms of their cognitive development and cultural awareness, while mastering a foreign language is seen as an increasingly valuable professional skill later in life. But with many teachers, parents, and pupils apprehensive about the challenge of learning another language so young, what specific benefits have been identified by those who believe so passionately in its usefulness?
For a start, it is a widely recognized fact that children learn languages more effectively than adults and older children, and have a greater ability to absorb new vocabulary and grammatical concepts. They are also seen as more receptive to language learning and have a natural enthusiasm which is lacking in older children with well-established habits and preferences. The primary school environment is also seen as uniquely suited to the foreign language teaching process. Because primary school teachers have responsibility for one class throughout the year, they are able to integrate additional language teaching with teaching of other subjects, helping to form a holistic approach to language learning. While it is recognized that many teachers currently lack the competence to pursue such an integrated approach, it does not change the fact that primary education provides a uniquely supportive environment for the young language learner.
In terms of cognitive development, learning a second language has been reported to help children prevent recalling irrelevant information while enhancing the focus with which they approach their learning. Moreover, some studies have suggested that laying the foundations for language learning at an early age leads to more effective learning at the secondary level, which means greater language proficiency and greater comfort. While the evidence for this effect is not conclusive, it is true that introducing additional languages at an early age increases a child’s comfort and confidence in a second language, which can help overcome some of the apprehensions we experience later on.
Finally, language learning is valuable for its contribution to cultural awareness. Learning another language is a gateway to a new culture, which helps broaden horizons and improve children’s acceptance of new ideas and values. This kind of early cross-cultural understanding is an important feature in today’s globalized world. Fluency in a foreign language is also a valuable skill that can improve employment prospects later in life, which means that an early start can be exactly the right move to give kids a helping hand on their way to future success.
In conclusion, it is difficult to make a case against the teaching of foreign languages in primary schools. The educational, cultural and economic benefits children gain immeasurably from early communication with a different way of speaking. While broader provision poses some challenges, the potential gains make this a goal worth pursuing.
