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Early anguagearly anguage anguage
E
Education
Education even relatively small amounts of While it’s never too late to start
exposure to a second language learning a language, it helps
before the age of one make a to start young. A recent study
difference in the development of from the University of Oregon
Two-and-a-half year-old Mateo those neural pathways. shows that students who start C O MM U NI T Y
is already on his way to being a learning in elementary school are
world citizen. He and his parents How do these differently wired 70 percent more likely to reach
have been taking classes in neural pathways affect children? competency than those who
Mandarin Chinese since he was Children who are exposed to start in high school.
just a few months old, learning language early recognize and
together. From the outside and to produce sounds like a native Excellent pronunciation and
Mateo, having fun is what it’s all speaker. As children get older, success in academics are great
about. He sings and dances and however, this gets much more benefi ts, but ultimately there’s
hugs the furry white cat that he diffi cult to do. an even bigger benefi t: the effect
asks for in Mandarin. But while In addition, children who know that knowing a second language
he’s playing, a lot is going on in his more than one language have has on a child’s approach to
brain. interacting with people from
shown they understand that
In the fi rst four years of life, a things can have more than one around the world. Children
who grow up embracing other
child’s brain is focused on language name—that language is, in effect, languages and cultures aren’t
acquisition—fi rst on sounds, then symbolic. This understanding intimidated by someone who
grammar, and then vocabulary. leads to strong verbal and speaks or acts differently.
The brain forms neural pathways analytical skills. The cognitive They have the confi dence and
in response to the language benefi ts show up in academic willingness to understand and
surrounding it. Amazing as it tests. Children who have studied appreciate other people and
sounds, the brain wires itself in a foreign language score higher cultures. They are compassionate
a particular way because of the on testing in math and social global citizens, and the world
language around the child, and studies, and even on their SATs.
needs more of them.
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