Teaching Children a Second Language at a Young Age

Why learn French?
French is the second language worldwide in politics and the importance will be growing with the boom of Africa and the Francophonie. More than 220 million people speak French on the five continents. French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. The ability to speak French and English is an advantage on the international job market and it is for your children a language of culture. Speaking French opens up study opportunities at renowned French universities and business schools, ranked among the top higher education

institutions in Europe and the world. I can also say that French is both a working language and an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and international courts.

Why teach children a second language?
Speaking two languages can slow down cognitive decline and help to keep the brain sharper in later life, research has found. A study shows that being bilingual has a positive effect on cognition among older people, including those who acquired the second language in adulthood. earning another language is good for young children and it will give them more options in education and work”.”Evidence shows that children may be better able to learn a foreign language if they are given the opportunity at a younger age”. ”Research also suggests that being taught a foreign language can help to improve conversation skills and literacy in English, as well as benefit study in other subjects”.”

When to start learning French?
From 2 years old, children catch up phonics. We recommend learning from a very young age in order to learn french through songs, comptines, dancing. From 2,5 till 4 years old, we recommend our Fun French lessons. After children follow with the Saturday French school Et Patati Patata at West Kensington all levels 4-14 years old, Fun French Day Camp with 30 hours of French immersion is fun and the best way to catch up or improve their french in February, Easter and Summer 2016!”

Special thanks to Caroline, founder of Et Patati Patata, the french immersion programme in London for supplying this article. www.etpatatipatata.com