Teaching English to children early is crucial due to its widespread use in various aspects of life. Even though English is a foreign language, children are exposed to English words and phrases in everyday life, such as printers, photocopiers, uploads, and downloads.
While some argue that teaching English early may burden children, this is not entirely true. However, fluency in English can benefit them in various ways, such as traveling, studying in English-speaking countries, emigrating, or improving their career prospects.
Therefore, introducing English to children early is a wise decision. You can find the best primary school english in your locality and admit your child during their early developing years. This article focuses on children in countries without English mother tongues.
Why Does Your Child Need To Learn English?
Given below are some of the major reasons why your child needs to learn English—
1. Increases The Chance For Better Job Opportunities
Most companies look for English proficiency, including international ones, essential in specific sectors. English is the international language of science, with 98% of all scientific publications appearing in English. Pilots and air traffic controllers in the global aviation industry need English proficiency to avoid delays and accidents.
English is also crucial for those working in the tourism industry. The UN and EU’s main languages are English and French, making English skills essential for diplomacy careers. 8/10 of the top financial centers worldwide have English as a primary or official language, with Zurich in Switzerland being the only exception, where over 60% of the population speaks English.
2. It Helps Them Navigate The Digital World
It is worth noting that English is the leading language on the internet, with more than half of the content online being in English. However, the number of native English speakers is only a small fraction of the world’s population. According to a study, most internet users spend their time on websites in their native language.
As a result, non-English speakers tend to need more access to online content. Interestingly, English language videos on YouTube receive about four times more views than videos in other languages. Learning English could prove beneficial in expanding one’s online content consumption.
3. It Makes It Easy For Your Family To Immigrate
Did you know that over 60 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities recognize English as their official language?
To become a citizen in most English-speaking countries, you must pass an English test. The importance of English is growing in Europe and South America due to its ease of communication and understanding of local languages.
Many teenagers enjoy watching Hollywood movies, listening to English-language music, and using social media platforms, which has resulted in more students studying abroad. Moreover, most degrees use English as their teaching mode abroad. Also, most postgraduate studies mandate an official diploma in English, like the IELTS. Additionally, English is crucial for most scientific studies in one’s own country, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
4. English Is A Comparatively Easy Language
Learning English grammar basics is relatively simple, making it easy to start using the language quickly. Furthermore, young people can learn this language through various media, such as music, films, and the Internet, which naturally enhances their passive language knowledge. Activating this knowledge is the primary challenge, but it is easier in English than in a completely unfamiliar language with no exposure outside the classroom.
5. Helps Boost A Child’s Confidence
It has been observed that children who can speak multiple languages tend to have higher confidence levels than their monolingual peers. This is because being bilingual gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-esteem. When children learn English in a positive environment, it reinforces their interest in learning and helps them better understand what they are learning.
This, in turn, makes them competent and confident learners. Research shows that mastering a second or third language during childhood can boost a child’s intelligence, as teenagers with multilingual skills often have above-average problem-solving abilities and memory capacity. However, learning a new language as an adult only significantly improves one’s overall intelligence. Therefore, nurturing children’s confidence and encouraging them to learn English is crucial, as it can positively impact their development.
Prepare Your Child For The Future
As a first language, English is spoken by over 400 million people across 53 countries. Its prevalence as a second language is also on the rise. Given the increasing interconnectedness of the world, effective communication necessitates a shared language, and English is poised to fill this role.
