For and Against an Early Start

In considering the problem of when to begin foreign language teaching, we are necessarily involved in questions concerning the content of a basic education. Early introduction of foreign language teaching has often rested on the belief that younger children are especially good language learners, as in some respects they probably are. However, even if they were not, this would not be a valid reason for beginning later. (Detailed criticism is made of the conclusions of Primary French in the Balance .) An early start may be favored because of the effect on the children's minds at the time of learning. Improvements in teaching and the development of a middle school may help to solve some of the problems of transition to the more advanced stages. Experiment with the timetable and with intensive teaching is also desirable, at primary as at other levels

Criticism · Foreign language · Foreign language teaching · Language education · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Political science · Teaching method · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · French Language Learning Methods · Linguistic and Sociocultural Studies · Psychology

• Some psychological aspects of early second‐language acquisition

  Mirjana Vilke•Journal of Multilingual and…•1988

  Add to list

• Weighing the benefits of studying a foreign language at a younger starting age in a minimal input situation

  Open Access•Jenifer Larson‐hall, Jenifer Larson-Hall•Second language Research•2008

  Add to list

• Elementary School Foreign Languages and English Reading Achievement

  Open Access•Alan Garfinkel, Kenneth E Tabor•Foreign Language Annals•1991

  Add to list

• The Early Start of English ? Recent trends and new directions in the Federal Republic of Germany

  Open Access•Gundi Gompf•International Review of Education•1986

  Add to list