Much debate has taken place over when foreign language education should begin in American schools. Currently, the majority of foreign language programs are ineffective and poorly organized. Programs would be most substantially improved if the instruction of foreign languages began in early elementary grades. Teaching foreign languages to American students at the elementary level would be truly beneficial for several reasons.
Firstly, if the study of a second language were to begin in elementary grades, children would have more years to practice and learn the language. It is ridiculous that teenagers are expected to speak a foreign language fluently after two to four years of high school language classes. More time is needed to comprehend and absorb a language to the point where it can be spoken fluently. Therefore, it
Many believe that teaching young children a second language can be a threat to their general education. It is thought that a child's mind can be clouded by an attempt to learn a second language. However, "psycholinguists have long since debunked the myth that bilingualism confuses the brain." No valid negative effects can be traced to learning a foreign language at a young age.
is necessary for foreign language education to begin much earlier than in high school.
The quality of adult life for today's children would be greatly improved if they were able to master a second language. However, this can only take place if foreign language education programs were altered in most American schools. It is imperative for the instruction of foreign languages to begin at the elementary level if greater opportunities for succe
All papers and essays are for research and reference purposes only!
Copyright 2002-2009
Direct Essays , LLC. All Rights Reserved. DMCA Webmasters make $$$$