The importance of learning language

Learning languages early is key to making Australia more multilingual.

Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)

Appetite for learning a language must be created by starting early, through generating curiosity and fun in playing with language. In their early years, children have the ability to accurately produce all sounds of all languages, to mimic a near-perfect accent, which makes it an optimal time for learning a second language. Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) does this.

Introduced in 2017, ELLA has created a play-based interactive language learning program for tablet devices. This makes language learning visual and engaging for preschool children.

The program uses characters, game activities and songs to teach simple language. Apart from a few prompts in English, it immerses the child in understanding and using the target language. The program is based on decades of international studies of early immersion language learning which have consistently shown the cognitive, neural, visual- spatial, conceptual, social and personal benefits of early language learning.

Children’s use of language in songs and games resembles the natural way people learn their native language. In early years, children have the ability to accurately produce all sounds of all languages, to mimic a near-perfect accent, and they will speak and sing without the inhibitions of adolescence.

The research evaluation of the program has been sound, using cognitive, behavioural and qualitative measures. The longer term objectives of early language learning are to provide intellectual stimulation, intercultural curiosity and for children to see linguistic diversity as an everyday affair in classrooms and playgrounds.

The Australian curriculum is built on seven general capabilities, one of which is intercultural understanding. The most powerful vehicle for this is through language learning. If we start early, this is where children learn to value both their own cultures, languages and beliefs, and those of others.

At Kids Capers Childcare we offer our Kindergarten children the Mandarin ELLA program weekly via the I-pad programs as well as engaging in Mandarin lessons with Miss Liana.

If you would like to engage with your children and continue learning language at home Ella have some great resources available for families. CLICK HERE

Source: https://theconversation.com/learning-languages-early-is-key-to-making-australia-more-multilingual-99085