Why Should You Teach Spanish to your Kids?

Childhood is the perfect time to learn a new language. As early as infancy, we learn language by listening. Frequent exposure to different words and sounds fosters and develops these skills. As we get older, however, it gets harder and harder to learn and retain new languages.

The benefits of being bilingual are vast, and by teaching your child from an early age, he or she will be at an advantage over their peers. Even a basic knowledge of a second language can help them immensely when they get to high school or college courses and dive deeper into more advanced Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Later in life, being bilingual can even lead to more job opportunities, a wider cultural understanding, and even a higher salary.

Because the Spanish language has Latin roots, many words are similar to other Latin based languages such as French, Portuguese and Italian. Once kids learn Spanish, it is much easier for them to learn these other languages. Even without studying, many Spanish speakers are able to understand these languages, even if they cannot speak them. Another great reason why kids should learn Spanish.

Give your child access to Spanish films, music, and literature. World-renowned singers like Juanes and Gloria Estefan, filmmakers such as Pedro Almodovar, and writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez are all native Spanish speakers. Knowing Spanish will help your child understand and appreciate other cultures and Hispanic cultural contributions.

There are numerous benefits to foreign language education, like better reading skills and more confidence. Children who start learning at a younger age have a better chance of developing a natural-sounding accent, something older kids have a hard time with if they learn later. Learning another language can also help with listening skills. A study at Northwestern University showed that people who knew a second language could better identify another speaker’s voice among distracting noises. Most importantly, kids will develop a broader perspective of the world.