We’re all familiar with the three R’s of education (reading, writing, and arithmetic), and the importance of these subjects will never go away. But there is more to a well-rounded curriculum than those three items. And, in a world where we are more connected to other cultures and countries than ever before, language learning is naturally taking a big leap forward.

Language acquisition isn’t a new concept, your children learned to speak English, but the benefits of learning to speak and understand a second language are significant.

Important Tool In An Increasingly Global World
As the world gets smaller, we all have more access to global resources. This includes culture, language, food, and even jobs. The more you are able to communicate in other languages, the more easily you can take advantage of these resources. For today’s children, language learning will make them highly competitive as applicants to colleges around the world as well as potential employees. Imagine how powerful an asset your son or daughter would be for the company of their dreams if they could speak multiple languages.

Boosts Cognitive Skills
Research shows that children who study a foreign language perform better on standardized tests and achieve better in school. We know that learning additional languages is easier for children as their brains are still flexible and malleable. So, children who study a foreign language in school are set up for success at a young age! There are also long term benefits to memory and attention in multilingual people. Some studies even suggest that patients who speak more than one language will live longer before experiencing symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Teaches Cultural Competency
In central Florida, we are blessed with an abundance of diversity and culture thanks in part to our proximity to Central and South America, as well as the many major ports on our shores. This beautiful amalgam of cultures gives us access to communities and people groups your children may not already have access to. Through Spanish language study, your children gain access to an entire palate of culture awareness including interesting foods, history, and lore.

Language learning is an often undervalued element of a child’s education, especially in public schooling where student success is determined by their ability to excel at standardized testing of subjects like math, science, and English. But, a St. Barnabas, we believe in the benefits of language education and that’s why we offer it to our elementary and middle school students. Give us a call today to learn more about our language offerings.