Example of Argumentative Essay - English as Foreign Language for Young Learners

Let’s Learn a Foreign Language

by Balqist Hamada

Many people say that a foreign language should be taught since childhood. Learning at early age is like "writing on a rock", while studying in adulthood is more like "writing on water". It is not a hundred percent true, but in fact the lesson is easier to be absorbed at an early age rather than when old. That also happens in learning English. There is a major reason for an early start in English, that is the value of English for education and employment it includes better in understanding English grammar, helping the youth improves their overall communication and problem-solving skills, and enhancing career opportunities. Beside the intellectual benefits, knowledge of a foreign language facilitates travel, and enables one to learn more about different peoples and cultures (Pop Anamaria-Mirabela, n.d.). That is why young learners should learn a foreign language in their early age.

The good impact for children who master a foreign language have more academic ability than monolingual children. The ability can be seen from the test value. Armed with foreign language skills will certainly make bilingual children easier to get high marks in every single language skill test. The test can be a SAT-Verbal test, ACT test, math test which is written in English. Nowadays, if students want to continue their study to foreign countries, the university asks the applicants to submit their TOEFL grade as indicator of their English language proficiency. Studying in foreign countries definitely demands high English proficiency level that can be seen from the TOEFL grade. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the types of language testing. The test is measuring many different skills such as listening, reading, grammar, writing, and speaking in English. In Indonesia, the TOEFL test is highly recommended for students who want to continue their education to higher level, for example, from undergraduate level to graduate level. The test is also used for public usages such as to get promotion to higher level of job (Mahmud, 2014).

Another good impact in learning English in early start is that it helps kids to build new relationships. Communication is very important in human relationships. So, while young children certainly find and use many forms of non-verbal communication to interact and play with each other, language is a key to build new friendships. According to Silke Rehman in her book “Make your Child Multilingual”, she says that “Bilingual children build bridges to new relationships because they have the capability: they can talk to diverse people, they build different sorts of relationships, and they can be the bridge between two kids who can't talk to each other, they can actually translate and help out” (Rehman, 2010). That means, speaking the language of those around you is the bridge to connecting with them. In addition, they can also recognize and introduce each other's culture. Thus, while the kids building friendship networks, they can also enrich their insights about other cultures. Besides, becoming bilingual child can also build their socio-emotional, cognitive and cultural aspects, it can also boost a child's self-confidence (Riley, 1986)

People who oppose learning English as a foreign language by young learners say that if kids are in touch with the language since they are born, they may start speaking three to six months later; than those who are raise in a monolingual environment. It means, that the children will have speech delay. Moreover, the children will mix languages because they are lacking the right word in their mother language (Yanira, 2010). Luckily, this condition is not permanent on most of the children. They can improve their ability in using words of foreign language and their mother tongue as well within the process of learning the language. Another opposition is when the youngsters learning a new language, they sometimes lose themselves and their identities. Usually they do not know and understand which environment they should be in. Moreover, learning a new language makes the learner confused and confounded on determining his own cultural identify. Eventually he risks to have double-identity troubles (Asma, 2016). Nevertheless, a wise young man will make his ability in English to promote his culture and eventually, it can make him more falling love with his own culture.

Regardless of the bad impacts of learning English as foreign language, being a bilingual or multilingual person can bring much more good impacts for youngsters. Actually, there is no best time to introduce and learn foreign language. However, earlier youngsters get, easier for them to master it. We have to be aware that nowadays, bilingual person has much more opportunities than who is monolingual. For example, getting a high-paid job and accepted in a prestigious university which they want. Although they may find it difficult in the beginning such as mixing the languages, however this is only temporary. Mastering foreign language can make young learners have high confidence, understand other cultures, and also get high score in test-taker. Therefore, young learner should learn foreign language to get a bright future.

References

Asma, B. (2016). The Effects of Learning English as a Foreign Language on Learners’Behavior: The Case of Third Year Students at Salah Eddin El Ayoubi High School (Doctoral dissertation). University Mohamed Kheider of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria.

Mahmud, M. (2014). The EFL Students’ Problems in Answering theThe EFL Students’ Problems in Answering the. A Study in Indonesian Context, 2.

Pop Anamaria-Mirabela, S. M.-A. (n.d.). Language Proficiency - Benefits of English language learning (A prerequisite for the business graduate). University of Oradea, Oradea,Romania

Rehman, S. (2010). Make Your Child Multilingual. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Riley, E. H.-E. (1986). The Bilingual Family. Cambridge University Press.

Yanira Gonzalez, E. M. (2010). Advantages and disadvantages that kids have at the time they are learning English as a foreign language to become bilingual (graduation work). University of El Salvador, Salvador, Centro America.