Dual Language is a hot topic these days, especially in Brooklyn. I’ve always been interested in starting my children on another language but have not pursued it yet, mostly because my husband and I aren’t fluent in a second language. I guess I felt a foreign language class wouldn’t have any long term benefits since we couldn’t really continue teaching them at home after the class is over. And then I feel guilty because I didn’t start them on another language when they were born! I had a chat with with Sarah Farzam, founder of Bilingual Birdies, to get her insight on what non-bilingual parents can do to help their child learn a foreign language and what globalizing your child really means.
By: Sarah Farzam
Here are some of my favorite tips on how to encourage foreign language and culture learning even if you are not a bilingual parent:
- Play music, DVDs, and read books in the foreign language.
- Select weekly themes and “words of the day” that relate to the developmental world of children and repeat them at home.
- Identify moments where you can embrace cultural differences and learn about new foods, traditions and art.
- Sign up for an age appropriate foreign language program where you can follow the curriculum and celebrate foreign language learning together.
- Don’t get frustrated. Remember, you’re opening the door to invite a love of foreign language learning in your child and increase their abilities to become fluent later in life. If you’re excited about it, they will be too!
Today’s parents are facing a whole new set of challenges when they decide which enrichment programs would be best for their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Sure, cooking and art-and-craft classes yield endearing centerpieces for the dinner table, but what about a class that leaves a lasting impression? When parents are considering what classes are most beneficial for their children, one compelling issue that should influence their choice is globalization. The world is becoming much smaller and nations are more interconnected than ever before. If we want to see positive advancement in our future, then we need to prepare our young children to genuinely embrace diversity. One of the best ways to do this is to learn a foreign language – the sooner, the better.
More and more emphasis is being placed on the global job market, immigration, the growing Hispanic population in America, and the one billion Mandarin speakers living worldwide. The Multilingual Children’s Association says, “About 75% or the world’s population speaks more that one language.” Compare this to the only 20% of Americans who speak something other than English. Now is our chance! We have the ability and all the resources to teach our children what it means to be global citizens.
You mean my two-year-old is supposed to sit in a chair for an hour and look at flash cards in order to get a leg up in the new global economy?
Play-based education is the answer to effective learning in the early years. Children can learn through live music, movement, dance, puppetry and exploratory games. It’s important to make their introduction to foreign language learning an engaging and enjoyable experience. Scientific research shows that below five years of age is the most critical period for language acquisition. If parents are diligent about providing that opportunity, their children will be off to a profound start. When they’re exposed to languages like Mandarin, young children get the chance to learn sounds and intonations that do not exist in English. They are able to repeat words with perfect native accents due to the malleability of their developing brains. The Multilingual Children’s Association explains, “Children less than one year old have a 63% chance of learning a second language, versus a 1% chance of learning one as a teenager.” The idea is to get children excited about learning a foreign language so that later in life, they will already have an interest in becoming fluent and communicating with others.
Today we see it actually takes a global village to raise a child. As our world continues to shift it’s crucial to promote open-mindedness in the hearts of young children. We really are all in this together.
Sarah Farzam is the Founder and Director of Bilingual Birdies, a foreign language and live music program in New York City. She is dedicated to creating culturally rich content for infants, toddlers and preschools. Her goal is to reach as many children and families as possible to foster an inspiring community of globally conscious people. Visit www.bilingualbirdies.com for more information.