Children benefit from learning another language

People who know more than one language always benefit. They understand their own language better and it opens up a whole new world to them. This also opens up new careers for them, as translators. DP

By Valerie Kiger, Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

postbulletin.com: Many language offerings in Rochester focus on younger children, in part because instructors believe it's a good time to instill the sounds, structure and practice of using a new language.

"A kid's brain is like a sponge the first five years of life. The more things they are exposed to, the more they are able to learn," said Spanish instructor Debora Elizabeth Ramirez Higuera. "So we have to take (advantage) of that to teach them as many of the good things we can. If they learn two or three languages at the same time they can go back and forth in each language without any problem. I can tell this because my kids are bilingual."

Cristina Ameen, also a native Spanish speaker who teaches the language in 17 day-cares and offers in-home lessons, said learning a second language doesn't have to translate into lifelong fluency to benefit those who learn one.

"I strongly believe that learning a second language at a young age is very good for the brain development of a young child, regardless if they are fluent when they grow up," she said. "I have read many articles regarding this topic, and studies have found that children that learn a second language have shown intellectual growth, pay better attention, and appreciate and understand people from other cultures."

Higuera, a native Spanish speaker who teaches children and adults, noted another reason for learning a second language: Being able to communicate with school friends who speak it.
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