It Is Better For Children To Begin Learning A Foreign Language From Primary School | Band 9 IELTS Essay Sample
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Here is a band 9 IELTS essay on this topic. Need help with IELTS writing module? Get your writing samples corrected by me.
Band 9 IELTS essay sample
According to some academicians, it is better to introduce a foreign language in elementary school than in secondary school. I agree with this view. In my opinion, young children are better at acquiring a new language than older children. Also, learning an additional language at a young age enhances their IQ.
One of the major benefits of introducing a new language early on is that it helps the child gain higher levels of proficiency in it. As a matter of fact, I grew up speaking three different languages from the age of 3 and because of this I have utmost confidence in using all of them. If I didn’t learn these languages from such an early age, I doubt that I would be fluent in them. Another advantage of learning an additional language is that it enhances the child’s cognitive skills. Studies have shown that multilingual people are smarter than monolingual people. It is no surprise then that Albert Einstein spoke 5 different languages from a young age and he was undoubtedly one of the greatest minds on earth.
A potential disadvantage of learning multiple languages in primary school is that the child may confuse the foreign dialect and their native tongue. As a result, they may take longer to achieve fluency in their mother tongue. For example, we sometimes see that children born and brought up outside India have difficulty in conversing with their family in their native language. However, in my opinion, if parents make it a point to speak to their children in their mother tongue, this problem can be resolved easily. Another disadvantage of adding a new language to the primary school curriculum is that it puts an extra burden on children. Children already have a lot of subjects to learn and a new language can make the syllabus even heavier.
In conclusion, educating children to be multilingual from an early age promotes better language skills and a higher IQ in them. Parents and teachers just need to ensure that the new language does not become a burden for the kids.
Band 8 IELTS essay sample
Nowadays, learning a second language is an absolute imperative in many countries. Many people argue that learning a foreign language is easier / more effective during childhood than in adulthood. However, others argue that it may be too much of a burden for the child. This essay will discuss why the advantages of studying a foreign language at an early age do outweigh the disadvantages
Firstly, if students start to learn any foreign language during childhood, they will soon gain mastery of it. In future, it will help them to communicate and showcase their learning and speaking skills. For Illustration, Canada is one of the countries where everyone gets a chance to learn French and Punjabi along with English. In addition, many immigrants’ families are encouraging their children to learn these languages. Secondly, little children have excellent learning skills because their brain is still developing. Moreover, by learning other languages they can enhance their cognitive skills which help them to interact with others in society. For example, studies have shown that 85% of the brain development occurs by the age of 10 and hence this is the best time to learn a foreign language.
Despite the aforementioned pros, many people argue that learning a second language at a young age is not a good option. There is a probability that many children may get confounded if they learn another language along with native language. Moreover, they might start getting attached to another culture and fail to devote enough time to learn their own language. However, there is no evidence as such to support this view. Actually, bilingual people are outperformers most of the time.
To conclude, learning a second language at a young age is beneficial as it helps in brain development and acquiring fluency. Hence, advantages of this practice clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
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Few researchers firmly believe that learning a language other than mother tongue during primary schooling can bring immense benefits to children. In my perception, it pave path for more disadvantages than advantages. In this essay, we can go through the merits and demerits of this approach.
Firstly, learning a language is always effortless between 3 to 6 years of age. Secondly, it increases the confidence and competency. Moreover, there are numerous other fields that demands extreme attention at secondary schooling. So improving linguistic skills can be focused to primary stage of education. For instance, many studies have concluded that inculcating language skills at the initial part was most effective and tend to demonstrate positive effects. Additionally, it provides them an opportunity to explore different cultures and traditions.
On the other hand, early exposure to different language can disrupt the learning process itself. It may contribute to unnecessary stress among students if they are unwilling. At the same time, it can potentially distract them from regular academic matters. Needless to say, learning scientific concepts through mother tongue is always beneficial. Many researches had second that fact. It is encouraged to develop the language proficiency based on circumstantial requirement. I had witnessed that entrepreneurs were quite comfortable learning languages when their business demand them for it. Thus, language expertise ban be developed at any stage of our life and should not be made compulsory.
In my opinion, the cons of enforcing a new language learning will definitely outweigh the pros. So, educational institutions should mandate and can implement it as an elective paper leaving the decision to the students itself.
Your arguments just contradict one another. This seems to be in the band 6 to 6.5 range to me.
Now a days, learning a foreign language has been become essential part of the school curriculum due to expansion of multinational companies and job interest in abroad. On the one hand, it is thought by some academicians that this should be started right from the beginning years of the schools instead of final years. There are positive as well as negative imapcts of learning the foreign languange in primary schools, however, advantages are more impactful.
If we look at positive side, human brain develops almost 90% by the age of 5, therefore, children have sufficient capability to learn new things at this age, moreover, they have enough space in their brain to learn and memorise quickly. Secondly, research has shown that multilingual children perform very well in other subjects also. Finally, by learning at initial stage, they become confident and natural in using new language.
On looking at the other side of the coin, learning new language proves to be the burden for young children sometimes. And this may lead to disliking the school atmosphere. Also, some children become confused in using the foreign language at proper place. For example, a young child can converse in forgein language at home and vice versa.
In conclusion, I would say that there are pros cons of everything and so is true for learning the foreign language in begginning years, however, the positive impacts outweigh the negative ones in the way that learning other languages at early stage will help them in future. Moreover, disadvantages can be overcome if school authorities manage carefully then this would not prove to be boring for the children. For instance, by using playway methods, by arranging excursions to international restaurants and movies etc. In a nut shell,, parents and teachers cooperation can definitely make this move a success.
Your content is good; grammar needs improvement. This seems band 6.5 to me.