The universal presence of the English language pervades all spheres of human activity, from business and culture to entertainment and technology.
English is the official language in more than 75 countries across the world. There are around 400 million native English speakers the world over, while estimates on the number of non-native English speakers range from 1.5 billion to 2 billion. Most International bodies like the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) function predominantly with English as their medium of internal and external communication.
The importance of English as the international language of choice cannot be overstated. It’s never too late to start learning a new language, but learning English in kindergarten gives you an undeniable edge in today’s world.
Here’s why.
1. Cognitive Development
A study conducted by MIT involving a grammar quiz taken by nearly 670,000 people suggests that the ideal age for acquiring native-like proficiency in any language is 10 years or before.
That is because the human brain undergoes rapid and significant development between infancy and puberty, when it is relatively more agile and adaptive. The speed of learning new languages usually declines after age 10 due to changes in brain plasticity.
Cognitive development alone is a strong enough reason why kindergarten is the ideal time to learn a new language.
2. Grammatical Prowess
English grammar comprises multiple concepts and ideas – like conjunctions, interjections, prepositions, and moods – that can be confusing for new learners at any age.
The benefit of starting to learn English early on is that one does not necessarily have to keep turning to the rules of grammar to discern right from wrong. A grammatical error sounds odd enough for young learners to naturally recognize that there’s a deformation in the sentence. Such native-like command over the language is best assured when English is learned in kindergarten.
Learning English in kindergarten also helps children develop a sharper understanding of subtle phonetic distinctions and the ability to modify vowel sounds in different words. For instance, the ability to partially silence the syllable ‘e’ in words like ‘enigmatic, the use of different phonetic tones for the letter ‘a’ in ‘hat’ and ‘hate’, and so on.
Children are in a much better position to navigate these inconsistencies when they start learning English in kindergarten.
3. Better Comprehension
Learning English at an early age is the ideal way of preparing your child for effective global communication. It enhances their vocabulary, builds curiosity, and polishes their skills of inference, decoding, and comprehension.
Exposure to English at an early age also equips children to comprehend speakers with diverse accents. They understand the importance of pronouncing words accurately, which enables children to engage in fluent conversation and instills confidence in them about their overall communication skills.
Learning English from an early age gives your child a head start in understanding the linguistic landscape of the modern world.
4. Richer Vocabulary
Since young minds can cover the fundamentals of the English language rapidly, they get enough space to indulge in improving and expanding their vocabulary.
Adding appropriate words for various formal and informal situations, the confident use of phrases and idioms, the ability to identify and make sense of colloquial expressions, and the ability to analyze various dictions and accents – these are just a few of the benefits of having a rich vocabulary.
But more than just linguistic prowess, better vocabulary fosters intellectual stimulation. One study suggests that non-native students who are unable to increase their vocabulary in volume show signs of weak academic performance. The connection between a rich vocabulary and academic success has likewise been established by multiple studies over the years.
Rich vocabulary comes from consistent and repetitive interaction with the language. Fortifying the fundamentals of English in kindergarten enables the early onset of this healthy practice.
5. English as a Propeller of Academic Stimulation
English is the gateway to some of the most cherished cultural and literary works in both contemporary times and history.
Proficiency in English provides access to a treasure trove of material in the form of movies, must, art, and theatre. For students, participating in debates, elocutions, and recitations prepares the ground for a mind fertile enough to grasp concepts easily and build on the knowledge acquired.
Eventually, mastery of English can lead to better academic performance and career achievements. Most competitive exams today, whether it be Ivy League schools or for professional licenses in law and medicine, are conducted in English.
Clarity on the basics of the English language and proficiency in speaking and writing are attributes that will aid kindergarten students in later co-curricular and extracurricular growth. They are the baby steps towards a solid career and a promising future.
6. Enhancing Creativity
Language is the medium of almost all human expression, whether it’s verbal or written on a slate.
A kindergarten student who is comfortably done and dusted learning the language by the time he or she is 10 has a much better scope of effective expression and creativity. They can explore and constantly broaden their horizons by imbibing relevant content and absorbing experiences.
English is known for its flexibility and the readiness with which it borrows words from other languages. This enables cross-cultural collaborations with creators and artists from different regions of the world – all of whom have something unique to offer. The resulting felicity of creative expression, whether it be in the form of a groundbreaking novel or a major scientific breakthrough, enriches the languages as much as it does the quality of our lives.
Learning English from an early age is a sure-shot way to subject your children to different cultural perspectives and thought processes, which undoubtedly stimulates creativity.
7. Boosting Confidence
Learning English increases confidence in children by enhancing their communication abilities, broadening travel and educational options, and improving career prospects. The universality of the English language and its deep rooks make its speakers truly independent and confident in any sphere of activity in any corner of the planet.
At the end of the day, language is the road map of culture. Proficiency in English will help your little lads easily find their place in the debates and conversations that will dominate their futures. They will be able to connect with more people and collaborate to find solutions to existential problems more confidently than they would in any other language.
Being fluent in English will play an instrumental role in expanding their networks and knowledge and making them ready to be creative, productive, and confident global citizens.
Helen Doran – The Launchpad To English Proficiency
At Helen Doron, we are committed to training kindergarten-going young minds and budding talent to learn English like native speakers. We focus on the holistic development of your child by ensuring their experience of learning English is always wholesome, fulfilling, and fun.
Our methodology transcends bookish limitations. We focus on practices and habits by catering to the innate curiosity of children. Our courses are crafted in a manner that inspires them to stop and read a random poster in English, pick up English newspapers and magazines, read subtitles, and look up words they do not understand – all on their own!
Contact us today and let us be a part of your child’s English learning journey!
