Children Learn Spanish:
Building Bridges to Iberia... and Beyond!
Spanish Becomes Increasingly Popular
Every day, the world seems to grow a bit smaller, and the benefits for both adults and children to learn Spanish, French, Arabic or Chinese are becoming increasingly apparent in this age of rapid globalisation. However, members of the British government recently concluded that the UK risks falling behind in multilingualism, by failing to sufficiently encourage foreign language studies at primary schools.
A proposal by Lord Dearing, former chairman of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, recommends that foreign language classes should be made compulsory for young students. At what age should children learn Spanish or another language? In a recent interview with BBC radio, Dearing indicated that instruction should ideally begin by age seven. "The evidence is that [it] is probably the best time to start—when you are young," he noted.
Reuters reports that the number of students taking German at GCSE dropped by 14.2 percent last year, whereas French saw a similar 13.2 percent decline. When it comes to Spanish, however, the linguistic tide may be changing—at least in the United States, where record numbers of American parents have recently (and successfully) encouraged their children to learn Spanish.
There are compelling reasons behind the trend. When children learn Spanish, they gain an introduction to the rich culture and linguistic heritage of nearly 400 million people throughout the Western Hemisphere. Though English remains the most common language in the world, Spanish is the fourth most popular, behind Chinese and Hindi.
Second languages offer many potential advantages later in life. Exciting careers in globalised fields like medicine, education and international trade may await children who learn Spanish now, at an early age.
Many children learn Spanish at home
In the United States, many children learn Spanish from one or more native Spanish speakers in their own household. This is not surprising, since Hispanics are that country's most populous and fastest growing minority. Here in the UK, more than one in eight primary school-aged children speak a second language, which is often learnt at home, according to the "Positively Plurilingual" report by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. A study conducted by the Department of Children, Schools and Families also found that the number of primary schools offering Spanish has risen, accounting for 25% of all primary schools offering any second language, more than any other language except French.
The CILT Report is a rich resource for parents and educators interested in learning what second language education efforts are already underway in the UK, and why those efforts are so important for young children as a key to greater cognitive development. As the report says, "Rather than thinking in terms of an 'English-only' culture, we should be promoting 'English plus'. We know that children are capable of acquiring more than one language and that doing so brings a range of educational benefits, including cognitive advantages, enhanced communication skills and an openness to different cultural perspectives."
Educators recommend various steps for bilingual parents who want to teach their children—on their own—to speak a native language other than English. One frequently recommended practise is for one bilingual parent (mum or dad) to speak exclusively to the child in the target language, like Spanish, while the other parent communicates exclusively in English. When this approach to dual-language immersion begins at birth, and continues through secondary school, children have an excellent chance at becoming truly bilingual and biliterate. But it also requires patience—and perseverance—from parents!
But what if mum and dad don't speak a word of Spanish?
Don't worry. Monolingual parents are not necessarily destined to have monolingual children. There are many good programmes to help your children learn Spanish. The key to success, as Lord Dearing acknowledged, is getting an early start. Some experts believe that children are far more likely to attain fluency and a native-sounding accent if they begin studying a second language prior to the onset of puberty.
If your child's school doesn't offer a Spanish programme for its youngest students, it may prove worthwhile to speak with the teachers or headmaster. Linda Foust, a concerned mum in California, wrote in the San Francisco-based magazine Parents' Press that her son's school did not offer language instruction until the children reached second grade. However, a fellow parent spoke with school administrators and convinced them to introduce Spanish as a fee-based, after-school activity. Foust reports that "100 percent" of the nursery-aged students were soon enrolled.
Parents also have the option of helping their children learn Spanish at home with multimedia educational programs, such as MUZZY, a language course developed by the BBC specifically for young audiences. Finding a well-qualified, private tutor can also provide an excellent head start for young language learners. Regardless of the method parents choose to pursue, it is important to ensure that young children learn Spanish in a fun-filled and stress-free environment.
For young language students, the good news gets better. After children learn Spanish, they may find it easier to acquire other Latin-based languages, like Italian and French. Before long, monolingual mums of eager young linguists may see a virtual United Nations sitting down at the dinner table. So, then. How do you say 'pass the chips, please' in Spanish?
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