Xiao
Do the advantages of early foreign language eduction outweigh the disadvantages? Topic: Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantage? Essay: The significance of foreign language learning is experiencing a great increase nowadays as a result of globalization. Therefore, it is suggested by some experts that it is wiser for children to receive foreign language education at an earlier age, and that it’s better for them to begin at primary school rather than secondary school. Indeed, early education of a second language is necessary in many ways. The benefits of an early start in language learning are obvious. It is in the childhood that children’s understanding ability, sense of curiosity and acceptance capacity stay in the highest level. Thus, it would be easier and more quickly for them to obtain the ability of speaking another language apart from their mother tongue. Additionally, children can also reap benefits from this learning process in that their other potentials such as communication skills and logical thinking ability can be developed as language learning is in close relation to such aspects. Moreover, it is important to cultivate children’s understanding of cultural diversity and broaden their horizon at an earlier age to help them form a relatively more international view of the world which can be hardly changed after they are grown-ups due to fixed stereotypes. It is, however, undeniable that early education of a foreign language is not without its drawbacks. The primary school learning is essential for children since it contributes to the founding of individual’s knowledge system and basic knowledge pool. So if too much time is spent on foreign language learning, students are surely likely to be distracted from major subjects such as their native language and culture, history and math. This may exert negative effects on the individual’s development in the long run. Despite the weakness of learning foreign languages at primary school, personally, I believe the advantages outstrip disadvantages in many aspects. However, it is a crucial task for educationalists to find out the best strategy to balance the general learning and foreign language learning.
11 Eki 2013 02:03