Spanish is America's unofficial second language, and more English-speaking children and adults are learning it every day. The language is useful for domestic and international commerce and day-to-day situations. Studies show that children who learn foreign languages have a higher level of verbal and literal understanding than their peers who only speak one language. These are some very good reasons to learn Spanish. Fortunately, it's easy to learn, and there are plenty of ways to practice.
Spanish in the United States
Today, more than 34 million U.S. residents speak Spanish. In fact, there are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than there are in Spain. This number continues to grow as more people immigrate, have children and incorporate a new generation of Spanish-speaking children into the school system.
Learning Spanish Early
Children have the greatest ability to learn foreign languages fluently. Studies show that children under the age of 10 learn new languages with ease. At this young age, children have higher comprehension rates, and their native accents are not fully developed. Although it's not impossible for adolescents and adults to learn a new language, the process is easier for children who start young. There are a number of career-related reasons why children can benefit from learning Spanish. With so many Spanish speakers around the world, a large number of companies seek out workers who can interact with other Spanish speakers, translate documents and complete important language-related tasks. The ability to speak Spanish fluently will make children prime candidates when they enter the job market, which is an excellent economic reason to learn the language.
Everyday Spanish
With children's shows like “Dora the Explorer” that teach Spanish words and phrases to preschoolers, learning the fundamentals of the language is a fun and easy process. There are plenty of practice opportunities where students can speak with peers, interpret phrases they hear and identify objects using the language of interest. Conversing with other native speakers boosts the confidence of students and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Academic Benefits
The academic benefits of speaking a new language are great reasons to learn Spanish. Studies show that English speakers who learn a foreign language at a young age do not fall behind in their native language skills. In fact, children who study foreign languages score higher on standardized English-language tests. Reports demonstrate that children who speak a second language score higher on the SATs and receive superior scores on the verbal portions of the test. There are long-term academic benefits too. According to one report, students who spent five years in a language immersion program outperformed comparison groups and continued to be high-achieving students throughout their schooling.
There are a variety of academic, social and economic reasons why children can benefit from learning Spanish or any new language. If your children are at that critical period between preschool and age 10, invest in their success by enrolling them in a Spanish-language program.
