Education programs require students to know more than one language. Besides, the environment people live in is characterized by individuals who speak different languages. For this reason, it has become important for students to learn multiple languages. While some individuals learn multiple languages at an early age, others make this decision later in life. The advantages of learning a second language at an early age include having a deeper connection with both languages and the child will not be fearful when it comes to making mistakes (14 Pros and Cons of Bilingual Education, 2017). On the other hand, there is the downside of learning a second language as it may lead to confusion among other things. The benefits of learning a second language outweigh the disadvantages making it necessary for students to enroll in multilingual programs.
The need for learning a second language varies from one individual to another. It is important to note that children are the most affected as they are taught different languages as they grow. The similarity in languages makes it easier for one to grasp terms quicker. For example, French and Spanish have vocabularies that are similar making it easier for one to learn them interchangeably (Benefits of Learning a Second Language at an Early Age, n.d.). The first benefit of learning a second language is that one can communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, there will be more employment opportunities for job seekers who are multilingual. Secondly, socializing with people becomes relatively easier for multilingual individuals. Language makes people view others from a different social spectrum which multilingualism bridges. Hence, learning a second language will enable a person to meet and interact with new people.
Teaching children a second language at a young age makes them more proficient in their studies. For example, the education curriculum in England was changed to accommodate a second language as it makes students learn faster (Multilingualism: Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies, n.d.). In particular, the students aged between 7 to 11 years were to enroll in this program as they were better placed to benefit from multilingualism. Lastly, globalization is attributable to people knowing more than one language. The individuals learning a second language become enthusiastic with the native country. Therefore, becoming bilingual or multilingual cultivates the culture of discovering new countries and subsequently leading to globalization. However, there are disadvantages associated with learning a second language.
One of the inconsistencies linked to learning a second language is that students forget the terms they grasped if they do not use the language regularly (Education.com, 2011). Whereas it is possible to be good at speaking a language in class, the absence of an environment to practice makes being a bilingual less important. Further, the students may find it difficult to learn the second language if it includes content they have never seen or interacted with in life. The reason for not offering multi-lingual programs in schools in various parts of the world is because of the high costs that come along with implementing them. In places where the programs have been tried, the number of assistants and teachers has been inadequate. Therefore, the students fail to get the attention they need and eventually lack the fluency of the second language. For this matter, learning a second language can have a negative impact on students.
Thesis Statement
The benefits that come with learning a second language are more than the costs which show that schools should introduce multilingual programs in their curriculum.
References
14 Pros and Cons of Bilingual Education. (2017, November 22). Retrieved from https://vittana.org/14-pros-and-cons-of-bilingual-education
Benefits of Learning a Second Language at an Early Age. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.leadwithlanguages.org/why-learn-languages/early-childhood-elementary/
Education.com. (2011, December 13). Learning a Second Language: Weighing Pros and Cons. Retrieved from https://www.education.com/magazine/article/learning-a-second-language/
Multilingualism: Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies (MEITS). (n.d.). Multilingualism: Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies (MEITS). Retrieved from http://www.meits.org/policy-papers/paper/learning-foreign-languages-in-primary-schools-is-younger-better
