Benefits of early language instruction

Research shows that the optimal time to learn a second language is before age 12. An elementary school student's brain is like a sponge and consumes twice the energy of an adult's.  At this early age, children love to mimic strange sounds, are curious about different customs, and are intrigued by secret codes.  The younger students are receptive to the idea of something different, and are less self-conscious, which makes this an ideal age for learning a second language.  Early language instruction excites parts of the brain that would normally be left unused and enhances complex reasoning tasks, which are easily transferred to other academic studies.

Consequently, it's far easier for elementary-school students to hear, process, and speak a second language without an accent than it is for them after age 12. 

Instruction through activities such as dialogue, songs, and games are more likely to be absorbed and remembered because children at this age enjoy being involved in these activities.


Foreign Language for Youth teaches students between the ages of 6 and 11. Students are exposed to approximately 25 new words per class or about 1,000 words over the 40-lesson session. Students learn through singing songs, playing games such as "Bingo" and "Jeopardy", and performing skits and plays to parents on Presentation Day.