What evidence is there to back up the benefits of a bilingual education?
Much research has been done to suggest that the human brain is more open to language learning from birth to pre-adolescence. While learners of all ages are capable of developing bilingual skills, young learners have an advantage when it comes to pronunciation. Children who learn a language before adolescence have the ability to develop native-like diction.
Why is it important for kids to learn a second or third language from an early age?
According to Maria Montessori, the first six years of a child’s life are the most important, because they have a mind like a sponge. This is known as the ‘absorbent mind’. Every child passes through sensitive periods which are critical points in their development. The sensitive period for language occurs from birth to six years of age. During this time, the child learns the language of his mother tongue or any other languages spoken in the home. The child also has the ability to learn and fluently speak other languages with little effort.
Because the child is in the sensitive period for language, we need to take full advantage of their absorbent mind – this developmental period only lasts a certain number of years and it will be of great benefit to the child if the teacher caters for this period accordingly.
How are pre-school languages taught differently to primary or senior school?
A primary or senior school student would have passed the sensitive period for language a few years ago, therefore making it a lot more difficult for them to learn. In Redwood Montessori Nursery we do not teach languages as a formal ‘second language,’ but rather allow the child to explore all subjects and areas of the Montessori environment in that language. This does not interfere with their natural path of development as they are learning this language without realizing it is happening.
Why should kids be immersed in the language for all classes, rather than just having time-tabled language lessons?
Again, this is a very critical age in the child’s life and the Montessori philosophy states that the child should be equipped with the correct names for the things in their environment. Language is one area in the Montessori environment that is directly linked to all other areas. Maria Montessori believed that immersion is far more effective than instruction as it is proven that children learn more effectively through their experiences than being taught.
How do children cope when they first start a bilingual education, especially if they haven’t been immersed in the language before?
At Redwood, the different language classrooms contain all the different Montessori areas (practical life, sensorial, language, maths, history, science and culture). Therefore the child will become familiar with their environment and will feel comfortable. Once a child is comfortable in their environment they will start to learn with ease.
On average, how long does it take for nursery age children to be confident in using their second language?
I have found that children develop enough self-confidence to use words from their second language almost immediately. Children learn a language very differently to the way in which adults do. It is a subconscious learning process for the child and we must closely observe each one and ensure we are providing them with the environment to learn in a natural way and be careful not to push them.
If a child is not using their second language, or first language for that matter, it is not to say that they are not learning. There is so much inner work happening and it is crucial for the child’s development that we allow them to blossom when they are ready and at their own pace. We must ensure that the teacher provides the tools that the child needs to succeed but also remember that language acquisition has a natural timetable which can’t be accelerated by an adult interference.
How can parents support a child who is learning a second language, especially if they don’t speak it themselves?
Maria Montessori believed that it was very important for the people in the child’s life to be consistent when it came to languages. For instance, if the child’s father speaks French to the child, he should always speak French to the child and not mix French with another language. The reason for this is the world is still a very new place for the child and it is much clearer for them to associate the correct person with the respective language. If the parents don’t speak the second language that the child is learning at the nursery then it is best to leave that job to the respective Montessori teachers to continue teaching.
Lindsay is Montessori Coordinator at Redwood Montessori Nursery, the new flagship nursery in the Kids First Group. As part of the nursery’s ‘innovative Montessori’ approach, kids are taught in English with French and Arabic, and the nursery will also be offering Mandarin and Spanish.
