I was helping our 8-year-old daughter study her multiplication facts last night at sunset on our little lake (we call it our piece of paradise though many other homeowners most likely call it theirs as well!).  As we went through them, and she beamed with success and pride after mastering the ’6s’ that they will be quizzed on today, I felt such a reminiscent twinge of longing for those innocent days.

Only to affirm my nostalgic feeling, our 16-year-old son proceeded to go on his soapbox about the stupidity of even teaching cursive handwriting (which his sister is also learning this year in school).  As I glared at Matthew, then looked softly towards Megan, I tried to cease the barrage of ill-willed feelings our high school son holds towards cursive handwriting (thinking all along, did I cause this damage because I myself print almost every grocery list, thank you note and Christmas card?!?!?!).

All of this came on the heels of listening to the ACTFL Radio Show on language learning in our country, and where we stand as a nation.  During the show, the expert being interviewed spoke about second langauge learning and how some people are under the myth that after two years of study the student will be bilingual.  She was quick to dismiss the myth, saying that it takes much longer. 

I don’t think anyone these days will ever commit to the number of years it takes to become conversationally fluent and biliterate in a second language.  We all know that each person develops at different paces, levels and stages in any learning, and particularly when it comes to world language learning (why do people still call these new languages foreign languages?  so bugs me!).

As I explained very curtly to our son, many skills are learned, facts memorized, concepts imparted during the school years which will never be ‘taught’ again…..they will simply be reinforced and used in the years to come (thus making every facet of learning a building block of our lifetime bank of knowledge).  I assured him that learning cursive is like riding a bike – you learn it, and then your parents don’t go back with a refresher session once every two years!!!

So too are other things similar.  Like learning your ABCs, learning your times tables (oohhh…that phrase certainly dates me!!!), learning how to print block letters or write in cursive and so on.  

With learning a second language, it’s very different for years and years and years.  You continue to acquire the vocabulary words for a long while, you constantly learn nuances of the syntax and phonemes associated with this new language you are learning, you practice the sounds on your non-native tongue each day and astound yourself (hopefully!) that practice really does make perfect or near perfect!

So - unlike those simpler concepts of rote memorization and applying them within our daily routine – learning a new language is a big and bold undertaking.  I know the reason I excel at presenting new languages to young children is because it still holds that nostalgic feel for me.  I know that learning with music, rhythm, movement, laughter, silliness, fun, and practical application to the daily life of a child is what will ensure the successful foundation of vocabulary, phrases and skills necessary for that same child to then build upon those basics of his early years to become fluent later in life.

  These young family child care boys love learning Spanish with Boca Beth fun products and methods their provider learned during a workshop Boca Beth conducted!

Happy Educating!  ¡Sea feliz educando!

Beth Butler