In the hyperconnected world in which we live, no one doubts the enormous advantage of mastering other languages. Fortunately, new generations are lucky enough to study at least one foreign language in school. In fact, the importance of multilingualism is appreciated in greater depth among the little ones and it is precisely what we want to deepen.
What does science say?
Children up to the age of eight have a great ease in learning languages because they are able to assimilate them intuitively almost effortlessly. From the age of eight, a stage change in psycho-evolutionary development occurs and this way of learning is lost. From this point on, learning begins to resemble more that of adults who must internalize new knowledge, that is, with effort and perseverance.
Therefore, starting with the teaching of languages such as French in early childhood is a great option for the neural development of our children. Numerous studies show that learning two or more languages during childhood and adolescence significantly improves cognitive abilities. In fact, the brain becomes more and more agile as it moves from one task to another, acquires a higher level of concentration in high activity situations and improves its memory. In short, a multilingual environment contributes to the development of intelligence.
The multilingual mind
- Multilingualism is associated with the development of very specific areas of the brain and improves cognitive skills such as attention and short-term memory.
- Higher writing and reading skills are enhanced: the child learns before reading between the lines and understanding the metalanguage and intonation of the messages.
- The mind becomes adaptable and allows us to see the world from different perspectives. The assimilation of changes and the ability to adapt is above average.
- Multilinguals filter, retrieve and retain information better. The development of language skills skyrockets.
Communication, culture and multilingualism
Enhancing the learning of a language from an early age means that, in all likelihood, the competence that the child acquires of this particular language will be very high and will also have an impact on the assimilation of others. That is, learning two or more languages during childhood is totally feasible.
Communication is at the base of learning other languages. People who acquire this ability develop communication skills very easily. Social adaptability develops faster and more efficiently, which, consequently, positively translates into increased self-esteem, assertiveness and self-confidence.
From a cultural point of view, there is a certain perspicacity on the part of the students with several languages to their credit because they have a greater facility in internalizing foreign cultural aspects. They develop a greater interest in how the world is perceived in other parts of geography, to understand the historical context specific to other latitudes as well as the characteristic features of the literature of other countries. It can be said that we train future travelers who, in addition, will not encounter any linguistic or cultural barriers if they decide to study or work outside their borders in the future.
Reasons to study French
We are aware of the importance of multilingualism in the education of children. We believe that one of the most important languages today is French and that mastering it is a very useful tool for the future.
French is also the official language of the European Union and other international organizations such as the IMF or UNESCO. But it is not only spoken in France: 68 states and governments declare themselves French-speaking in the world, French being the official language of 33 countries.
But whatever the course and the employment opportunities, what we value most is bringing our students closer to the language of Jules Verne, Victor Hugo or Balzac; discover a unique gastronomic world; bring them closer to the cinema of Truffaut, Rohmer or Resnais; introduce them to the history of France through painting and art.
We put at your fingertips a cultural universe that has a lot to offer and, at the same time, we train you for a constantly changing world by providing you with a valuable resource for the future: the French language.
French Alliance. June17, 2019.
