Learning a foreign language: the earlier the better?

baggins (UK)

I think that provided a child receives a childhood as well as education, then an early start would be beneficial. When people reach an age around puberty, the brain is going through a phase of lateralization, after which the ability to acquire native-like competence in speaking may reduce. Besides, a child can acquire multiple languages and become a polyglot. I think the important step is to get the language's sound and spelling systems in place early, so that it becomes internalized by the learner.

Parents need to remember that their growing child needs to grow socially and be allowed to play. Having a child in a classroom for most of the day is perhaps not the best environment to allow for childhood development.

Pupils from Shuangtang school are having English lessons with a foreign teacher, Jiangsu province.[Photo/IC]