5 Reasons to Teach Your Kids a Foreign Language

The best time to become fluent in a second language is during childhood. A child who learns a second or third language has an immense advantage over a child who only speaks one language. In this digital age, learning a new language has never been more accessible and convenient.

Berlitz is a pioneer in childhood language acquisition. We offer in-person and online language courses for kids in over 50 languages. If you're considering enrolling your child in a foreign language class, here is why learning a foreign language gives your child a competitive advantage.

Reasons to enrol your child in a foreign language class

Here are five ways your child will benefit from exposure to foreign languages:

More opportunities for professional growth

Learning foreign languages through online language courses enables kids to enjoy a number of advantages around the world. If a child is fluent in a language, when they're older, they can go to countries where people speak that language to pursue their studies – which can boost employment prospects and career opportunities. That's because bilingual people have better access to jobs and higher wages in a globally integrated economy.

Improved academic performance

Learning a language has cognitive benefits that directly affect a child's academic progress. Bilingual children often score better on standardized tests and have better reading, writing and maths skills than children who do not speak a second language. Speaking a foreign language gives kids an advanced understanding of grammatical principles and how to use them, which improves their reading and speech comprehension and improves their academic performance. They can also use what they learn in one language to reinforce concepts and terms they learn in another.

Better brain development

Children exposed to foreign languages have better brain development and are more creative than others because they develop superior cognitive patterns than those limited to only one language. Research shows that learning a second language improves memory, focus, multitasking abilities, problem-solving, critical thinking and listening skills.

Brain processes also become more active when picking up new skills. When children learn new languages, their brains become accustomed to new vocabulary and grammar norms. They hone their ability to recall new words, connect them and utilize them in context. That means children who speak multiple languages are more creative and flexible.

Greater curiosity, cultural sensitivity, empathy and tolerance

Culture and language are intertwined. Children who encounter other languages early in life tend to hold more favourable views of the cultures in which those languages are spoken. Exposure to foreign languages helps kids understand that there are many different ways of living. That creates curiosity, gives children a thirst for new knowledge and allows them to develop tolerance and empathy towards people in other areas of the world.

Superior resilience and problem-solving abilities

Languages take time and effort to learn, and, as with any new skill, there can be challenges associated with learning a foreign language. To achieve their goals, kids must persevere and experiment to discover which learning strategies and approaches work for them. The tenacity, determination and study skills they develop in online language classes can carry over into every aspect of life.

Are you looking for online language classes for your child?

Contact Berlitz if you're searching for effective, trusted online language classes for your kids.

We use age- and topic-appropriate learning materials and activities to keep kids interested. With the help of our online language courses, children can learn their new languages from the comfort of home.

Call us at 1-855-865-0548 or fill out our contact form, and we'll get in touch to discuss your learning options and answer any questions.