Foreign Language Acquisition: The Importance of Learning Languages as a Child
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Authors
Schwartz, Amber Elise
Issue Date
2001
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
In the United States, the need for foreign language knowledge is growing as different
cultures in our American society work to maintain their own heritage. and thus, their own
languages. It is becoming crucial for our children, our means for the future. to have an
understanding of more than just their native language. It is significantly easier for a
young child in their preschool and elementary years to learn a new language than it is for
a middle schooler or adult because young children have not yet filtered through and
become acquainted with everything that is of their native language. Due to this, children
can more easily learn the sounds and rules associated with a foreign language. Learning a
foreign language at a young age will help our children by better preparing them for
school as most schools now require some sort of a foreign language program. This
understanding of new languages can he achieved by implementing well-developed
foreign language programs in our preschools and elementary schools throughout the
country. There are drawbacks to learning the native and foreign languages at the same
time, including word confusion, delay in the native language learning process and
feelings of isolation for the bilingual child. These drawbacks, though, are all minimal in
comparison to the benefits of child who is able to speak in more than one language.
Description
vi, 41 p.
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License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.