| Why is it crucial to start early? |
| How can this be done?
- A newborn’s brain has the ability to acquire and master the sound system of any language as the brain focuses on sounds up to the age of about 15 months. Babies are mesmerized by the sight and sound of a foreign language speaker and their brains are like sponges absorbing it all. Although language videos, DVDs, music are all somewhat beneficial, they should be used as supplemental materials. Nothing can replace a live person because children will essentially struggle to communicate with the person without giving much thought to the fact that they have to do it in a different language.
Please note: we slowly start losing the fine hearing we are born with around the age of 2 and with it our ability to distinguish the different sounds of languages. That is essentially how we develop accents in foreign languages. If you want your child to learn a language without an accent you should start before the age of 2 for best results. However, latest research claims that you do have a window of opportunity to become a native- or near-native speaker of most languages until about the age of 12.
Young children learn a foreign language like they learn their first language: through experiencing, repeating and listening. We offer total immersion in the target language with native speakers. Parent involvement is necessary and important. A parent needs to be present during classes with children ages 0-3. Parents will receive materials to reinforce the language at home. The more a child hears a language, the more successful he/she is going to be acquiring a second language and will increase his/her ability to master the language.
"My child really seems to enjoy the class! I feel that I am giving her a gift introducing her to a second language at such a young age." Carol Boulder French class
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