I disagree with the statement that all children should study a foreign language in school starting in the earliest grades. Firstly, studying a foreign language requires a lot of time and attention. Secondly, at an early age, learning a foreign language can be a burden for young minds.
Although learning a foreign language is beneficial, young children should primarily focus on core subjects like Science during their early school years. A foreign language demands significant concentration and time. If children focus too much on learning a new language, they may not have enough time for other essential activities, such as playing or exploring other subjects. As a result, it can create unnecessary stress, especially since they cannot practice the language with their parents or friends.
For example, there is a child in my family whose school introduced French as a foreign language. After some time, she started failing in other subjects. Upon investigation, it was found that she was spending most of her time learning French and had little time left to study other subjects like Science and Mathematics. Many children experience significant stress when studying a foreign language, which can sometimes lead to mental health issues. Ideally, foreign languages should be taught by native speakers or individuals who have studied the language extensively. However, schools often hire inexperienced teachers who are not equipped to teach the language effectively.
In conclusion, foreign languages should not be introduced to young students in the early grades. Learning a new language requires substantial time and focus, which may divert attention from other core subjects and impact overall academic performance.
