When I was 3 years old, my parents got me involved in many activities. I went to swimming lessons, dancing and French lessons. I understood why I went swimming, for safety, and then I went to dancing because my older cousins were in it and it interested me but I always wondered why I went to French lessons. After speaking to my parents, I found out it was because my mum was aware of all the benefits that learning a second language at such a young age brings to a child such as it broadens their knowledge of different cultures, improves creativity and sharpens the brain.
I remember being very shy at French lessons and I barely spoke but I took in everything they said. I used to do the homework they set us in the living room with my dad on a Sunday night with the cassette player. I only went to French lessons till I was 7 and then had to stop as I became more involved in dancing. However, I still feel that what I learnt benefitted me when I started learning languages in Primary 5 as I could still remember the basics.
As well as going to French lessons, my grandparents also spoke basic French. We were taught French songs such as “Sur le pont d’avignon” and the well known “Frere Jacques”. Still to this day, anytime I walk into my granddad’s house, the first thing he says to me is “Bonjour, Comment ca va?” and we are expected to reply in French and ask him back. It might be basic but it has kept the French language fresh in my brain and even though I stopped learning French after Standard Grade 2 years ago, I can still reply to simply questions and answers.
Therefore, due to my early experiences in learning a language, I feel that children as young as Primary 1 and nursery should be learning another language. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a couple of songs and a couple of questions but the soon the language and, in particular, the accent in programmed into their brains the easier it is for them to pick it up again.
