Foreign Language Instruction in Kindergarten

       In today’s world, knowing a foreign language is quite significant in terms of having efficient education, finding a well-paid job or having international friends all over the world.  Additionally, speaking a foreign language becomes important because of globalization.  That is, people need to know at least English, which is commonly spoken all over the world, to be understood by others when they go to a different country.  Thereby, a foreign language education is given beginning from kindergarten.  Most people send their children to kindergarten to learn a foreign language at an early age.  They spend their time and money for their children to make them successful in foreign language acquisition.  However, while some people believe that children should spend their time by having fun in kindergarten instead of studying a foreign language, there are some others supporting the idea which is learning a foreign language in kindergarten.

       People who do not believe that foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten share the view that children should spend their time by playing games instead of learning a foreign language at an early age.  They think that since children are not mature enough in terms of making decisions, they have to obey what their parents and teachers decide for them.  In other words, learning a foreign language at an early age may not be their own decision.  Due to this, these people state that children should enjoy their chilhood instead of making efforts to acquire a foreign language in kindergarten. When they become older, they realize which language they want to learn, and start to educate themselves according to their own interests.

       Furthermore, people who are not favour of learning a foreign language in kindergarten think that foreign language instruction may cause a problem. In other words, children start to make a comparison between their native language and the second language that they learn.  This leads them to feel confused since each language has different rules and structures.  When they feel that they have difficulty in learning a foreign language, they tend to suffer from lack of motivation in the lesson or completely stop foreign language instruction.  As a consequence, they may approach foreign language instruction in a negative mood, and this affect their future.

         Although some people do not support that foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten, it is an undeniable fact that children’s brains are more active in learning a foreign language until 14 years old (Petrides, 2006).  That is, their brains are like a sponge and absorbs every single detail.  In addition, since children are more curious, and tend to ask questions to learn rather than adults, they can acquire a foreign language easily.  When children start to learn a foreign language in kindergarten, their accent also improves like a native speaker.  Specifically, a child born in Germany is able to speak German fluently besides his native language.  As a result, this is the positive effect of learning a foreign language at an early age.  Therefore, kindergartens are quite beneficial for children to acquire a foreign language well.

       Thereto, while there are some individuals who do not believe that foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten, there are some people who corroborate that foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten bencause children have an opportunity to attend foreign language schools in abroad at an early age.  Put another way, their parents can send them to abroad to improve their language skills in summer holiday.  Thereby, children are able to improve their language skills well, and besides this, they also learn about variant traditions and cultures of countries.  Moreover, they make international friends in abroad. When they returned to their hometowns, they keep in touch with their international friends via e-mail.  Thanks to this way, they learn to be open to different viewpoints.  As a result, children grow up as both knowledgable and open-minded individuals, and they prepare a good future for themselves.

       To conclude, nobody can deny the significance of foreign language instruction on our lives.  Especially with globalization, knowing at least one foreign language has gained more importance than before. Thereby, foreign language education has been started to given beginning from kindergarten.   I personally believe that children’s brains are more active than the adults, and they are more willing to learn a new language.  For example, they immediately tell their parents what they have just learned at school.  Their parents feel happy, and encourage their children.  This situation makes children more hungery for learning.  Finally, if children acquire a foreign language in kindergarten, they have a chance to study in abroad.  As a result, they have a great education there, and prepare a bright future for themselves.

        Reference

Petrides, J.R. (2006). Attitudes and motivation and their impact on the performance of

        young English as a foreign language learners.  Journal of Language and

        Learning, 5(1)1-20.