Have you ever wonder to teach your children a new language in early age? If so, you have already make a best decision in life. Research have shown that baby's brain is ready to be bilingual. They say baby's brain is like a sponge, and if it grows in an environment where two people speak two languages, it will grow up to use two languages too. Children under five years old have a significantly greater aptitude for language acquisition. A lot of selection of neural circuits goes on in the first few years of life, this pruning is essential for many aspects of behavioral development. The development of the neocortex is largely determined by genetics; however, it is highly influenced by the environment. In many cases it is a use it or lose it proposition, it is not that we completely lose the ability to learn more than one language, it does however get more difficult with age. This same process is why it is very important that infants be raised in a positive stimulus rich environment.
Some specialists in language acquisition also claim that the sooner a child starts to learn a second language the better. It certainly seems to make sense that the earlier you start, the longer you will have to learn, and the more progress you will make compared with someone who started later. However, there is evidence that this is not the case, particularly if the second language comes to take the place of the first language, which has never been allowed to develop properly. In addition, this is true in the sense that children are not at all as busy as adults. Adults only struggle to learn a new language because they are too busy and sometimes too lazy. Adults generally have a more difficult time staying organized, as they have a lot more to worry about than children do. Children don't have any responsibilities, so they can focus more easily than adults can. The challenge for adults is in allowing their selves to ignore their responsibilities once in awhile so that they can focus on the things they want to learn.
One case in my environment have shown that, the children of foreign family who immigrate to my country learn a new language faster than their parents. After looking for any information and interviewed the parents then I know that the children learn a new language from their new friends in their new environment. Their friends who take much control in learning a new language. This case shown that environment has its part in successful of learning a new language.
One researcher* talks of the dangers of double semi-lingualism for early learners of a second language; i.e. the child does not develop full proficiency in either of the two languages. And it has been found that older learners of a language are more efficient learners, so they may need less time to reach the same level of proficiency as younger learners. Also, of course, if more time is spent learning a second language during the school day, then some other subject must be cut or reduced to make way for it. This may not be desirable.
So what is the best time for a person to start learning a foreign language is depend on the situation, ability and motivation. The best situation to learn a new language is when they live with native. A person who has a high ability in learning language will learn a new language easily and motivation of each learners will push them better.
References:
http://esl.fis.edu/parents/advice/myth2.htm
http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst2903_BEST-TIME-TO-LEARN-A-LANGUAGE.aspx
0 comments:
Posting Komentar