Learning a second language at an early age has many, many benefits including:

• Having a positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriching and enhancing a child’s mental development.
• Giving students more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improving a child’s understanding of his/her native language.
• Giving a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Opening the door to other cultures and helping a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Giving a student a head start in language requirements for college.
• Increasing job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.

Reprinted with permission from the Center for Applied Linguistics.