Language is thought to be the universal form of self-expression, and allows us as humans to both communicate our wants and needs while forming bonds with others. Introducing the ability to communicate in other languages opens a child’s mind to other cultures and allows them to dream of far way lands. Maria Montessori believed young children have a natural ability to pick up languages. At Neshaminy Montessori School, we follow Maria’s theory on the sensitive period for language by introducing French to our scholars ages pre -primary through elementary.
There are numerous benefits to foreign language instruction within early childhood education.
1. Early language instruction is easier to introduce in adolescence rather than adulthood.
Young children have absorptive and elastic minds. Introducing a second language at a young age takes advantage of our children’s quick memory and unconscious familiarity with the process. Studies have shown that children introduced to a foreign language in their formative years are more likely to speak and read fluently in that language.
2. Bilingual children become more marketable as bilingual adults.
The ability to read, understand, and speak more than one language is a great advantage in our global world. Communicating in numerous languages opens up doors to various career paths and opportunities.
3. Children who speak multiple languages are more grammatically aware.
Children who learn a second language with different grammatical rules have a better grasp of their own. As our students become more aware of the French language, they begin to compare their native language to the one being introduced. Our children tend to read earlier in their schooling due to the constant contrast between both languages.
The benefits of speaking multiple languages are endless, but the greatest underlying reason is that languages increase understanding amongst individuals and promotes a deeper understanding of cultural acceptance and peace. Here at Neshaminy Montessori, we are raising global citizens who will be future peacemakers in our world.
