In today’s world of globalisation, proficiency in multiple languages is a vital skill. It not only gives adults but also kids an opportunity to engage with the world in a more meaningful way. Learning a new language is extremely beneficial as it exposes your little ones to different traditions, cultures and history.
If you are planning to teach your children a foreign language, there are so many to choose from. Since every language has its importance and you can decide which one works best for you.
In fact, the Singapore Education System not only promotes English but also encourages children to learn their mother tongue, which remains a vital part of their upbringing and familial roots.
From a career prospect though, it’s important to know which are the best languages for kids and how they can help them.
According to a study, knowing three specific languages can improve your child’s chances of succeeding professionally.
Best Languages For Kids: French, German & Mandarin, Says Study
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The study found that learning French, German and Mandarin increases a child’s chances of succeeding professionally. Over the next 10 years, it can further increase the possibility of employment.
The findings were from a survey conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Opinion in collaboration with Heathrow Airport.
As per the study, developing a fluency in a second language opens many business opportunities and helps people build new professional relationships.
The importance of academic learning and improving social and interpersonal skills were also highlighted in the study. The reason being, these are the skills that will eventually drive your kids on the road to success.
If you want to help your children succeed in life, help them by enrolling to learn a foreign language. Experts believe that foreign language proficiency can be a great investment for your child’s future.
5 Benefits Of Learning Foreign Language
Here are five common benefits of introducing your children to a foreign language.
1. Boosts brain power
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Learning a new language has the potential to boost your brain strength. When your child is learning a new language, the brain actively tries to cope with the different complexities and absorb new patterns.
Those who speak more than one language showcase improved memory and also critical thinking skills, along with better concentration.
In fact, they can switch between tasks and are quick to monitor changes in the environment easily. As we age, being multilingual or bilingual can also help to keep away from mental ageing.
2. Improves memory
The more you use your brain, the better it functions, right? This is exactly why learning a new language can improve your memory.
Learning a different language requires not only learning ample vocabulary but also the skill of being able to recall and apply it at the right time.
This does denote that multilingual people generally have more brain activity than those who know only a single language.
3. You can get better at decision making
Learning a new language can also brush up your decision-making skills.
Other than knowing about the rules and vocabulary that come with learning a foreign language, you will learn the nuances and regional expressions of that language.
And let’s not forget the importance of grammar and syntax in any language. That can make or break a conversation.
4. Increases networking skills
When you pick up a new language, you are also opening yourself up to learning more about a different culture. This allows you to be flexible and appreciative of other people’s actions and opinions.
If you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from a different lens, thus enhancing your chance of connecting with others.
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5. Better connection with others
The most rewarding aspect of knowing a foreign language is your ability to connect with others. Bilingual and multilingual people have the opportunity to actually communicate with a wide range of people in their personal and professional lives.
While you are concentrating on helping your children learn a foreign language, don’t forget to strengthen their ability to speak in English. After all, it is the most widely spoken language in the world.
Learning a foreign language can help to develop strong cognitive skills, such as better concept formation, multitasking, and mental flexibility. You also develop better listening skills and encourage better connections between peers.
While it’s never too late to learn a new language, starting as early as possible with kids will definitely show better results. A child’s mind grows rapidly between two and five years, and they can absorb a new language better in these years.
At the same time, if your child is older, do ask them if they have a language preference that will make them even more excited.
Source: TOI
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