By Rufaida Alhamad
As an international language, English plays a significant role in education. Therefore, many parents want their children to start learning the language at an early age. However, Teaching and learning English at an early age has been controversial, and several supporting and opposing arguments have been raised. To take a good decision about the issue , advantages and disadvantages should be concerned . The following paragraphs will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of teaching and learning English at an early age.
Considering the advantages, it has been proven that acquiring another language alongside the mother tongue has a positive influence on the development of both brain and intellect. Studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind in young children. Therefore, Pre-school and young school ages represent a unique time for a child to acquire a foreign language naturally and similarly to the mother tongue. By hearing the voice of adults and watching the movement of their lips, children will indirectly acquire basic vocabulary, sentence patterns and accent. Therefore, teaching kids can me much easier and more enjoyable than teaching adults. Teachers can use some simple and fun activities in order to teach kids such as singing songs, playing puzzles and coloring. Those activities can provide a pleasurable class atmosphere as well as motivate children to be active learners. Moreover, different skills can be improved while children learn English. Rhyming can explore children’s imagination despite the sentence’s silly meaning. Similarly, playing puzzles to teach shapes or letters can enhance a child’s ability to concentrate. In addition, learning English at an early age can train the kids to accept and appreciate people from other countries.
On the other hand, choice to expose your