Why+learn+FL+early?

[|Foreign Language Learnig: An Early Start. (Eric Digests)] [|Eearly Foreign Language Learning as a Strategy to Closing the Achievement Gap] [|Eearly FL Learning for Children (Piccolingo, Brussels)] [|Benefit of Early FL Learning] [|Do Bilingual Preschool Make for Smarter Kids? (WSJ.com, Oct 13, 2010)] [|This is your brain..... on language] [|Learning a second language is a good childhood mind medicione] [|"A Bilingualist is a mental juggler."] [|"Will American Ever Learn Chinese"] (The Opinion Pages from the New York Times)

=The Math of Second Language Proficiency =

TIME is of the essence!

 * The lifetime total number of class hours is critical for student success.
 * Without enough time, the other factors cannot affect outcomes.

How long does it take?
According to the Foreign Service Institute: To reach a speaking general professional level of proficiency (Cummins' "conversational fluency") of ACTFL Superior/ILR 3 (for adults with high aptitude, who already know several languages, in a class size of 6, studying 25 class hours per week plus 15-20 hours of self study):
 * Spanish/French: 600 class hours
 * German: 750 class hours
 * Hindi, Russian, Thai or Urdu: 1,100 class hours
 * Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese or Korean: 2,200 class hours

How many years of study is that?
Assuming 45 minute per period, 600 class hours would take 5 years of 5 world language periods per week. (So, to reach this level, in any language, you need to start before high school.)

Now you do the math:
a) How many years would it take if a student takes four world language periods a week instead of five?; b) How many years to become proficient in German?; c) In Russian?; d) In Chinese or Japanese?

What about younger learners?
Younger students will definitely have an age advantage. Although they may not have adult-like sophistication and life experiences, their early foundation will allow them to reach higher levels and a better appreciation of different cultures than late starters!