Learning another language besides one’s mother tongue brings many prominent advantages for personal and professional development, especially for young children. Through today’s article, International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) will introduce all the information about the benefits that children can receive when learning a new language to explain why it is important to learn another language . Find out now.
>> Read more: Skill development pathway of preschool students at International School Saigon Pearl
Why is it important to learn another language?
Why is it important to learn another language? In the current era of globalization and expanding international relations, knowing an additional language other than one’s mother tongue is necessary and important to serve both work and life. Especially, parents should encourage their children to learn a new language from an early age to help them have a foundation for development and a deeper understanding of languages in the future.
The appropriate age for children to start getting acquainted with a new language is within the first 6 years of life (preferably between 1.5-3 years old). This is considered the “golden period” for absorbing new knowledge in children. At this time, the child’s brain has started to become aware and understand everything around them, especially language. Children also tend to enjoy “imitating” actions and words from their parents. Therefore, introducing children to a new language at this time will help lay a solid foundation for their further development in language during later stages.
Check out ISSP’s EAL program and Vietnamese language program.
The importance of learning a language for young children (Source: ISSP)
What are the 7 benefits of learning a language?
Many education experts encourage learning a new language alongside one’s primary language at all ages, especially for children. Moreover, not only does it serve the main function of supporting daily communication, learning a new language also brings some specific benefits as listed below:
1. Language is the gateway into another culture
Why is it important to learn another language? One of the reasons to address this question is that a new language helps “open the gate” for children to easily and conveniently learn about different cultures. During the process of exploring and discovering a language, children will also be taught about the distinctive characteristics of the culture and traditions of that country.
2. Increase child’s brain power
Learning a new language is also a perfect solution to increase the development of the mind. Specifically, during the first 6 years of development, a child’s brain becomes receptive and sensitive to all issues around them, including a new language. Throughout the process of learning and exploring a language, children need to absorb, remember, and apply the language regularly to be able to use the new language fluently. In other words, the activities mentioned above contribute to effectively stimulating the development of the brain power.
>> Read more: How to Raise a Multilingual Child
Learning a new language is also a perfect solution to increase the development of the mind (Source: ISSP)
3. Improve communicator by any language
One of the other reasons to explain why it is important to learn another language is that a new language creates opportunities for children to easily improve their communication skills. Learning a new language not only provides opportunities for children to easily improve their communication skills but also emphasizes the importance of practice to achieve desired learning outcomes. Therefore, when learning a new language other than their mother tongue, children need to regularly practice speaking skills to develop their long-term language proficiency.
To master speaking skills, children need to actively engage in conversations and communicate with friends, teachers, or parents, which gradually boosts their confidence and enables them to interact effectively with different individuals. Through these actions, children will gradually become more confident and know how to communicate appropriately with different people.
>> Read more: English: The Language Of Opportunity
Improve communication skills through learning language (Source: ISSP)
4. Foster open-mindedness and bridge cultural gaps
Learning a language plays a vital role in cultivating open-mindedness, particularly in certain issues. Effective language acquisition involves extensive communication and practice. Through engaging in conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds or immersing themselves in the culture and traditions of a particular country, children develop an open-minded perspective and shed prejudices towards customs that may initially appear “strange” from people of other countries.
Language acts as a bridge that helps connect different cultures. When learning and exploring a new language, it also means taking the time to discover the unique characteristics of the culture or traditions of that country. This offers children an opportunity to compare the similarities and differences of various cultures from different countries, fostering a profound connection to the traditions of those nations.
>> Read more: Are Language Immersion Programs Effective?
Learning a language also helps children become more open-minded in certain issues (Source: ISSP)
5. Make travel easier and more enjoyable
Why is it important to learn another language? Language is the “key” that makes traveling to other countries simpler and more enjoyable. With no language barrier, children can fully immerse themselves in the wonders of the destination, communicate confidently and without hesitation, and make the most of their time. Additionally, knowing the language of the country can alleviate concerns such as getting lost or negotiating for goods and food, making the first visit to a foreign country less daunting. Surely, children will find many exciting opportunities and fully enjoy their trip.
6. Preserve lesser-known languages
Preserving lesser-known languages is important because it helps to maintain cultural diversity and promote understanding and respect between different communities. When a language is lost, it often means that a culture is lost as well, along with its unique history, traditions, and knowledge.
Learning a new language is also a great way to preserve lesser-known languages. When children are exposed to a new language, they will need to practice that language with those around them to nourish their long-term memory. This is also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the characteristics of that language more widely and to reach more people.
>> Read more: 10 Secrets on How to make your kids smarter
7. Become a better global citizen
Another significant reason to answer Why is it important to learn another language? is that through the process of learning a new language, children will have a chance to develop and become good citizens in the future. Language is the means to connect multiple countries. Learning a language will open up many opportunities for studying abroad, interning in foreign countries, as well as pursuing positions in multinational companies. Through the accumulated experiences, children will contribute to the development of the country and become active global citizens.
Become a better global citizen through learning another language (Source: ISSP)
ISSP teaches children multilingual learning through after-school activities – ASA
The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is known as a reputable and quality international school for children from 18 months to 11 years old located in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In addition to being a member of the long-standing education group Cognita with over 100 member schools worldwide, ISSP is also the first international preschool and elementary school in Ho Chi Minh City to be dual-accredited by two reputable accreditation organizations in the world: the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Since 2023, ISSP has been officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the IB PYP curriculum, known for its high academic standards.
Recognizing the importance of early language education for children, the International School Saigon Pearl implements the IB International Baccalaureate programme.The school’s language instruction program is designed to help students develop strong language skills from an early age, which is essential for success in a globalized world.
In addition to regular language classes, ISSP offers a range of afterschool activities that are designed to help students develop their language skills, as well as their orientation and creativity. These activities may include language clubs, drama, music, and art programs, among others. By providing a range of extracurricular activities, ISSP aims to foster a love of language learning and to help students develop their language skills in a fun and engaging way.
Overall, ISSP’s language program, which includes the International Baccalaureate programme and a range of extracurricular activities, provides students with a strong foundation in language learning from an early age, helps students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a globalized world, and to become responsible and engaged global citizens.
Introducing children to a new language from a young age brings many benefits for their future development. Through this article, it is hoped that parents can better understand why it is important to learn another language from an early age. The International School Saigon Pearl in Binh Thanh district always welcomes parents and students to visit the school to have a deeper understanding of its activities. Parents can schedule a visit to ISSP through the following phone number and email:
- Phone number: +84 (028) 2222 7788.
- Email: admissions@issp.edu.
