With the globalization of our modern society, it’s vital that young children learn second or third languages. This skill is essential for all aspects of life. For starters, it opens up a world of business and career opportunities when your children finally enter the working force. Additionally, it comes in handy when traveling abroad in foreign lands, making particular study programs more attainable later down the line.
More practically, language education helps develop critical thinking skills that are easily applicable for other school subjects. Lastly, it provides the youth with a greater appreciation for other countries and cultures. If you’re looking to upgrade your students’ and kids’ academic lives, here are the three top languages a child should learn at a young age.
Spanish
America is a melting pot country that features citizens from all cultures and backgrounds. Both domestically and abroad, over 400 million individuals speak Spanish as their native tongue, making it the second more popular language globally. Plus, it’s relatively easy to grasp, especially at a young age.
The advantages of learning this language are endless—it opens so many opportunities for people as they enter the real world. So many businesses look for Spanish-speaking employees who can effectively communicate with all kinds of clients. As more and more Americans speak this language, the career options are ripe for the taking by bi-lingual individuals. Spanish is one of the best subjects for preparing students for college.
German
German isn’t the most popular language worldwide, but it’s widespread across European countries. Seeing as many students participate in study abroad programs later in life, being able to communicate effectively in this region is invaluable.
These programs typically encourage participants to travel across the continent in their free time, making German useful. This language also helps with business opportunities, as Germany is the economic powerhouse in the EU. It’s not the simplest tongue to pick up, but young minds tend to master it more effectively.
Mandarin
The most used language worldwide is Mandarin, with over 800 million speakers. China, where people most commonly speak Mandarin, is seeing an economic boom of recent that’s similar to the United States after WWII. This means international business is flocking to the growing country.
Once again, this creates more job opportunities for your children. It’s also a complex language to learn. However, after you master the tongue, it’s easy to understand most of the other Asian languages spoken globally.
By teaching these top languages a child should learn at a young age, you give your kid the best chance at succeeding later in life. And these skills help them in their early academic life, making them better students overall. Always practice the language in the house to reinforce those lessons for your children better.
