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In this great melting pot we live in, it can be quite valuable to have a second language we are fluent in. It has been proven that children can learn a second language much easier than adults and it is a perfect time to teach them another tongue and learn one yourself at the same time. Children can benefit greatly in school and in the workplace if they know another language and there are just way too many resources available these days to not take advantage of them.
One great way to teach your child a second language and introduce them to another culture is to take in a foreign exchange student. Homes are always needed for exchange students to stay in for short periods of time, usually a couple of months to a year. If you have an extra bed or room, an exchange student can introduce a whole new element of learning to your child, especially that of seeing that there are different kinds of people in the world that are not exactly like us. Your child can help the exchange student with his English while the exchange student tutors your child in his native language.
Children love to listen to songs and watch video tapes over and over again. Cassette tapes and videos of language instruction are the perfect medium for your child to learn and there are ones that are aimed specifically at children which they will love to watch over and over again. Children learn by absorption and you will be sure to pick up a few words after hearing the tape a few hundred times.
There are some wonderful books for children that teach second languages as well. Books range in all levels from simple names for objects to conversational books. You can pick some out together and your child will have fun learning new words for objects around the house, but you had better keep up with them or you won’t know what they’re talking about!
If you can manage it, once your child has learned a second language, a trip to a place where the language is spoken is a wonderful reward and a good test of what he has learned. If not, you can rent movies in which the language is spoken and ask your child to tell you the story or find someone else who speaks the language for your child to converse with. A second language is a great asset to anyone and can be fun as well!
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