| Learning a second language is always tricky. | | | | being equally proficient in two languages. |
| Therefore, it is potentially more productive to | | | | Full bilingualism really is a priceless skill to possess, |
| learn it at an age at which you are generally more | | | | especially in today's society, which is becoming |
| receptive to learning. It is widely accepted that | | | | increasingly globalised and multinational. Fluency in a |
| the best age at which to learn language is during | | | | second language will be particularly advantageous |
| infancy, since, during the early years, the brain is | | | | when applying for the jobs of the future. Another |
| specifically programmed to learn a language. | | | | advantage of early second language learning is |
| However, this is not constrained to any particular | | | | that it will ease the process of learning an |
| tongue; it depends on to what language the infant | | | | additional language later in life. |
| is exposed. | | | | Despite all the evidence to suggest that it is best |
| Thus it follows that an English baby will just as | | | | to learn a second language at as early an age as |
| easily learn its native language as a Chinese one. | | | | possible, some studies have shown that adults |
| Heavy exposure to any language during a child's | | | | and adolescents, in a number of respects, find it |
| first few years should, therefore, ensure | | | | easier to learn a foreign language than younger |
| comprehension of the language for the rest of | | | | people. The fact that they have already achieved |
| their life. | | | | full comprehension and are literate in a first |
| This is largely due to the mechanisms by which | | | | language arguably means that they can use that |
| people learn languages. Children begin to pick up | | | | which they have already learned about language in |
| language by imitation; in other words, they repeat | | | | order to help them understand a new set of |
| noises that they hear in their environment, | | | | rules, even if merely by contrast. |
| whether from their parents or from others | | | | Of course, when raising a child speaking two |
| around them. The noises they make will gradually | | | | languages simultaneously, there is always the risk |
| begin to reflect the tones and phonics of the | | | | that one language will begin to replace the other, |
| language or languages to which they are most | | | | which will never be developed properly. Some |
| exposed in their everyday life. | | | | researchers even suggest a danger of 'double |
| As a result, those surrounded by two languages | | | | semi-lingualism', which describes a case in which |
| will begin to communicate in both. Worries about | | | | the child does not become fully proficient in either |
| raising someone bilingually include the fear that the | | | | language, although occurrences of this are rare. |
| child will become confused and mix up the two | | | | It seems that there is no definitive time at which |
| languages, potentially resulting in reduced language | | | | it is best to learn a second language, as it |
| skills. However, this is rarely the case. Although | | | | depends on the specific situation and context. |
| such a child may initially seem to be behind their | | | | However, if the opportunity arises, initiating |
| peers in language skills, by the time they are | | | | bilingualism as early as possible merits serious |
| around five years old they will normally have | | | | consideration. |
| caught up with their peers linguistically, whilst also | | | | |