Why a Foreign Language Should be Taught in Elementary Schools

Second, Lenneberg suggested that a neurological mechanism was responsible for the change in learning abilities with age. He hypothesized that the human brain loses its reorganizational capacities and plasticity (which are necessary for acquiring language) after puberty. Research since then has not provided any conclusive evidence of such a phenomenon but Lenneberg's hypothesis has remained viable to today.
             Since Lenneberg's writing and studies, behavioral studies able to directly test the critical period hypothesis have become available, the most well-known case being Genie, who was deprived of social interaction and language until she was discovered in 1970 at the age of 13. Genie was able to learn a large vocabulary, including abstract and concrete terms, but she had a lot of trouble with grammar. Her overall lack of linguistic competence, particularly in syntax, even after seven years of rehabilitation definitely support the critical period hypothesis. .
             Being young when acquiring language, whether it be the first or a second language has many advantages. For one, the accuracy with which the child later knows the language is a lot higher than that of someone who learned the language as an adult (native-like pronunciation also goes along with that). Another great advantage of learning a foreign language at a young age is that the child has many years of school left during which it can further study the language. In addition to cognitive benefits, the exposure to another culture offers its own bonuses. .
             In general, children who begin foreign language study at the elementary school level have the opportunity to gain a good understanding of the cultures where the language is spoken because they themselves are at a period in their academic as well as personal development where everything they learn can enrich and enhance their learning process for many years. In addition, they are prepared to participate in a global economy and community, where knowledge of other cultures and language is almost essential in order to be effective.