Advantages Of Second Language Acquisition

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Second Language Acquisition Learning a second language is deemed mandatory in many secondary schools in various countries and also has many benefits, but studies show that many students — even if they excel academically in every other subject — struggle with foreign language classes. Most children will learn their first language through listening to the language spoken around them and imitate what they hear. It is known that if a child is raised in a household where multiple languages are spoken, they will begin to learn parts of both languages. This process usually happens before the child reaches the age of three. Many researchers have hypothesized that there is a reason why children who are exposed to multiple languages in early childhood have an easier time mastering a language once they reach primary school age. Originally hypothesized by Eric Lenneberg, the critical period hypothesis states that early childhood is a critical period for learning of language to occur. Language — especially second languages — should be taught to primary school children aged 3-12 so …show more content…
The advantages of learning a second language range from practical, personal, and psychological. It has been shown that people who know a second language are more open to different cultures, better at understanding their first language, and have a better memory. The age-old debate of nature versus nurture is applied to language and there are no solid answers on which holds to be more accurate. The critical period hypothesis, brain plasticity, the universal theory of grammar, and the 10,000-hour rule are all pieces of evidence that suggest second language acquisition is easier for prepubescent children. Taking this into consideration, it would be beneficial to society if a second language were to be taught in primary school, rather than in secondary

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