Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In a world where the concept of physical distance has been greatly reduced due to technological advances and globalisation, it has become increasingly beneficial to be proficient in a

second

language

, especially in the workplace.

As a result

, there has been some discussion regarding the

optimum

Suggestion

optimal

age

for exposure to a

second

language

in schools with many suggesting that earlier is better, a view which, in my opinion, should be supported by education authorities.

Firstly

, the idea that children should be introduced to a

second

language

at an early

age

is supported by the principle of learning speed being inversely proportional to

age

. There is no doubt that capacity for learning is extremely high at primary education level. Younger children are able to hone pronunciation skills more quickly and in conjunction with their own natural improvement in their

first

language

.

Furthermore

, fear of failure does not usually manifest itself in 7-11 year-old children, meaning that productive skills can be practised more freely in a low-pressure environment inspired by trial and error, which is proven as an effective

language

learning method and lends support to

second

language

teaching at primary level.

On the other hand

, there are aspects of

language

learning that are difficult to study closely at a young

age

. While grammar is largely acquired naturally in one’s

first

language

, an understanding of a

second

language

is typically more heavily reliant on a mixture of theory and practice, which can be more

difficult to encourage in

Suggestion

difficult to encourage

younger pupils with a lower concentration span and less-developed critical thinking skills.

In addition

, it could be argued that the main focus in primary schools should be

on

indefinite article, "an" is use before a vowel sound, "a" otherwise

an

arithmetic and

first

language

proficiency, with the introduction of a

second

language

proceeding the development of these traditional key skills. Accepting other subjects as priorities would naturally delay

second

language

learning, with high school being a natural introduction point for

such

subjects. While it is clear that mathematical skills as well as

first

language

literacy are vital, the importance of speaking a

second

language

surely means that there is more pressure on children to speak two languages at a younger

age

.

As a result

, it is my strong feeling that primary school curricula must include an emphasis on encouraging

second

language

exposure as early as possible.