by Elexis Marie

Created on: December 28, 2007   Last Updated: February 16, 2011

Of course they should. In my hometown - Chicago, there are more than 25 unique languages spoken. In most of the U.S., more and more Spanish-speaking populations are taking root. We also live in a global society, with dozens of major languages spoken commonly and hundreds in specific locales.

American children are at a severe disadvantage in regards to language acquisition. As a nation, we don't stress it early enough, which leaves our kids learning language at an age where it is a struggle. When it comes to global interactions, those who are multi-lingual fare better, get farther and are more successful than those who only speak their native language.

Language is arguably one of the easiest talents for a child to learn. Human brains are hard-wired to accept, learn and use language. Of course, it's also time-bound, unlike other studies. Past the age of 6, it becomes much more difficult for a child to acquire a second language. However, if they are introduced to learning new languages at a young age, language acquisition remains relatively easy and efficient.

This isn't the only place we fail our kids, though. The American education system is placing stress on all the wrong areas with terrible results. Early learning of language, logic, reason and music lead to more success later in education with "traditional" academics - math, science and literacy. All of the areas we fail to stress leave children without the basic tools to: a) learn a system, b) reason through the system, and c) reproduce the system; all of these skills are necessary for future academic success.

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