The sooner the better. Studies have shown that the younger a child begins learning a foreign language, the more proficient they become and they also have a much better opportunity to use the language as a native speaker would.
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Even though babies are not speaking yet, they are actively absorbing and processing language. A baby has twice as many brain synapses (connections) as an adult. Neural linguistic patterns develop rapidly in young children. Because of this, with methodical and consistent exposure to any number of languages, children can learn them all simultaneously. However if these pathways are not developed and used at a young age, the window of opportunity closes forever.
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In an immersion environment, language is not a subject that is taught but rather the vehicle in which all subjects are taught. Students learn their curriculum in the foreign language. As students participate in art, music, dance and other creative venues, they learn the language by association rather than by translation.
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Total immersion is the most effective way of developing foreign language proficiency. The intensity of the immersion experience coupled with the amount of exposure to the foreign language assures that students have the necessary language skills.
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Just as your child naturally learns his native language through immersion, play and interaction, he can acquire a second language in the same way. Your child will begin to use the new language when he is ready.
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Spanish gives an excellent starting block to all Latin languages and you should be able to cope with languages such as Portuguese and Italian with relative ease once you've mastered Spanish. The Greater-Houston area is rapidly becoming bi-lingual.
Social reasons:
* I am going on vacation - Mexico is our number one holiday destination
* I have relatives/in-laws that speak Spanish
* I have always wanted to speak another language
* I am interested in the culture of that country
* I plan on retiring in a Spanish speaking country
Business reasons:
* My job involves dealings in that language - even if your business partners speak perfect English, it can only help relations if you show willingness to learn their language.
* I would like to work in another country
* I am applying for a job with an airline - increasingly it is necessary to speak a foreign language in the airline industry
* My company is being taken over by a Spanish speaking company
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