Learning a second language will be compulsory in junior schools from September 2014. The education secretary, Michael Gove has announced that changes to the curriculum means that all children will begin learning a second language from the age of seven. Languages on offer will include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Latin and Greek. But should second language learning start even earlier? 

 
It can only be good news that UK children are going to be learning a second language so early on, at an age when they are most receptive to a new language. But is seven early enough?

Some studies show that children will benefit most from languages learned before this age and that learning a second language should begin in reception in order for children to get the most out of language study.

Should learning a second language be compulsory in junior school?

Opposition to the new curriculum includes the argument that more emphasis should be placed on children learning English grammar thoroughly before thinking about learning a foreign language, while others worry that teachers will not be able to keep up with the new language demands.

 

On the other hand, as the UK finished bottom of the 2011 European Language League, isn’t it about time we did something to raise our second language standards?

There is also evidence to show that learning a second language is beneficial to the brain and can protect against degenerative diseases and even raise the IQ.

Many people think that learning a second language should be compulsory in junior school because the positive effects of language learning are even more pronounced if we learn from an early age.

We also have more chance of becoming bilingual in later life. This also ties in with the idea that learning a musical instrument when at junior school helps people to learn a second language – so combining the two would give children the ideal start in life.

Share your thoughts

Do you think that learning a second language should be compulsory in junior school?

Which second languages do you think are the best to learn for UK students?

At what age do you think children should start learning foreign languages at school?