Ask Metafilter: How many languages should my kid have to learn?
Research shows there are many benefits of learning a second language. Over at Ask Metafilter, there’s an interesting lead posted on learning languages. Many responses are very positive, for example, “I’ve never heard a downside. Go for it.”, and “I have a friend whose mother was Russian and father Belgian. He grew up speaking English, Russian and French and was no worse off for it. He’s a pilot now.” What is your thought? What languages would you like your child to learn?
May 9th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I’m quite happy that my children are learning Mandarin. I can think of no other more important language for them to learn other than their native English. Actually my daughter is equally proficient in both. Mandarin is quite difficult to master and I believe it’s having all kinds of positive effects on her cognitive development. The downside is that at 2 1/2 she already knows phrases that I don’t - it’s tough having a 2yr old who is smarter than you.
May 9th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Yeah, Mandarin is difficult to master. It’s so different from all Western Languages, like English or French. Having said that, native English speakers can speak very good Mandarin. I met an Australian teacher whose Mandarin is not only fluent, but also at a very high level. I think your daughter is talented in learning languages, Clark. Congratulations. : )