TEST 5
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary
school rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Whether children should start learning a foreign language in primary school rather than waiting
until secondary school is a controversial issue in education. Those who support learning a foreign
language in primary school argue that there are many great benefits if children are exposed to a new
language from an early age. However, there are also opinions that learning a foreign language too early
can encounter some difficulties and limitations. So do the advantages of learning a foreign language in
primary school outweigh the disadvantages?
One of the most obvious advantages of starting to learn a foreign language early is the ability of
children to develop their pronunciation and listening skills. Primary school age, especially the period
from 6 to 12 years old, is the golden time to learn phonetics and pronunciation naturally, just like
children learn their mother tongue. Children at this age are able to absorb the sounds and intonation of
a new language without much difficulty, while adults often have problems with correct pronunciation.
In addition, learning a foreign language at an early age also helps children develop their thinking and
creativity. Studies have shown that learning multiple languages can enhance children's critical thinking,
problem-solving abilities, and increase their flexibility in thinking. Children who learn a foreign
language at an early age often have the ability to switch between different language systems quickly
and easily, which can have long-term benefits in their intellectual development.
In addition, learning a foreign language from primary school gives children a solid foundation to
continue learning that language in later grades. When children are familiar with a language from a
young age, learning advanced language skills such as writing essays or discussions in that language
will become much easier in the future.
Although learning a foreign language from primary school has many benefits, there are also
some disadvantages that need to be considered. First, the foreign language curriculum in primary
school may not be designed to suit children's learning abilities. Therefore, if teachers do not have
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appropriate teaching methods, foreign language learning can become a burden for children and not
achieve the desired results.
Moreover, primary school-age children are still in the process of developing their native
language skills, so learning a foreign language can disrupt their formal language development. If not
well managed, learning a foreign language too early can cause children to confuse languages and slow
down the development of their native language.
In short, although there are some disadvantages, the advantages of learning a foreign language
from primary school are still superior. Early access to foreign languages not only helps children
develop their phonetic and thinking skills, but also lays a solid foundation for learning foreign
languages in the future. However, it is important that teaching methods be adjusted to suit the age and
receptive ability of children, to avoid negative impacts on children's language development.
