Raising multilingual children: the benefits of early language learning

Young children have remarkable advantages in language learning. At an early age, children have great capacity for language learning, which happens unconsciously, through passive listening and interaction, songs and play.

According to the Eurydice report (2023), in most European education systems, students start learning a foreign language between the ages of 6 and 8 years, and in six systems even before the age of six. This is earlier than two decades ago, when the European Council invited EU countries to take actions to ‘improve the mastery of basic skills, in particular by teaching at least two foreign languages from a very early age.’

Cognitive, social and economic benefits

Young children who learn multiple languages experience many advantages. These include enhanced problem-solving skills, improved memory and greater cognitive flexibility. Bilingual children often perform better on tasks that require switching between activities and have a better-developed ability to focus on relevant information.

Socially, multilingual children can communicate with a wide range of people, which fosters open-mindedness, empathy and better understanding and acceptance of the value of cultural difference and diverse friendships.

Multilingual individuals have access to a wider range of job opportunities and often command higher salaries. Early language learning sets the stage for these long-term economic benefits by laying a strong linguistic foundation.

The important roles of parents and teachers

Parents can foster multilingualism by creating a language-rich environment at home. They can enrol children in language immersion activities and encourage the use of multiple languages in everyday interactions. Technology has also made language learning more accessible – apps, online resources and digital learning games provide interactive and engaging ways for children to learn.

Several Erasmus+ projects have produced practical, easy-to-use guides for parents and teachers to support children’s multilingualism.

• The PEaCH project produced a practical guide to help parents and educators of bilingual children turn bilingualism into a fun and rewarding experience.
• The Play & Learn project produced a handbook on the use of play-based approaches for teaching English to preschool-aged children to provide very young learners with age-appropriate skills development.

However, the journey to multilingualism is not without challenges. Consistency and exposure are vital, and parents must remain committed to providing opportunities for language use and practice. Encouraging language learning from an early age is an investment in a child’s cognitive development, cultural awareness and economic potential.