English learning education has been one of the essential topics in Turkey. Despite long-term learning in English, learners are not qualified enough to speak, read, and write about in English. For this reason, the Turkish government is taking some steps to enhance the learning process. For instance, in the previous years, compulsory English education started in 4th grade in Turkey, but it has been changed. From now on, compulsory English education has been lowered from 4th grade to 2nd grade because the government asks to utilize from the advantages of the younger brains to handle the English education problem. According to some research, from birth, the brain is active and open to new information. However, this activeness is gradually decreasing until puberty. After puberty, the brain becomes less active, which reduces the efficiency of the brain. The government paid regard to "the critical period" of learning and took the step. To me, their goal is to create an environment for "acquired" language because the younger brain means the more acquired language. There are some advantages of learning English at an early age, such as learning the second language faster and efficiently, adopting pronunciation, and improving the cognitive process. However, it has some disadvantages, as well, such as not being ready for the second language and delaying the development of the first language. Besides, there should be some improvements to enhance the English language learning process for children, such as being aware of the needs of the learners and providing a meaningful learning process.
First of all, there are some advantages to learning English at an early age, such as learning faster and easier, adopting proper pronunciation, and improving the cognitive process. Firstly, younger learners are learning the second language much faster and easier because their brain is still developing. In the most active time of the brain, they learn both their first language and their second language. In this respect, both languages become the mother tongue for them. This situation allows them to learn English with the least deficiency. Early language learning increases the chances of learning the language the most effective way because the first and the second language is going through the same process. Also, if they are being exposed to English in critical times of the learning, they will be able to learn faster and easier compared to older ages. For instance, the student at six will learn English faster and easier because their brain is wide open to learn new things. Furthermore, they are learning English by utilizing some technological tools or platforms which make the learning process more attractive and fun; at the same time, these tools or platforms provide easy and fast learning process. Secondly, learning a language at an early age will positively affect the way they pronounce the words because younger learners are good at copying what is said. Their brain is more open to new sounds and quickly placed it to their brain. Also, there is no complexity in younger brains because they do not have to compare their old knowledge with the new one, as they are learning old and new languages, respectively. Briefly, having proper pronunciation is much easier at an early age. Lastly, according to some articles, learning at an early age enhances cognitive abilities positively, such as creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills. Besides, it improves the ability of multitasking, memorization, and listening. Shortly, learning English at an early age has so many advantages compared to older ages.
Secondly, despite these advantages, learning English at an early age has disadvantages, as well, including having difficulties in learning the second language and delaying the development of the first language. Learning a new language can be difficult for young learners to comprehend and produce anything in the classroom. For example, a student from South Korea needs to learn a new alphabet and repeat some meaningless sentences which have no meaning in his/her language. So, it can be hard for them to handle these difficulties that can make them less motivated, as well. The other point is that the complexity of learning a new language may delay the development of the child’s first language. In short, it can be said that learning at an early age can cause some problems in both learning their first language and second language.
Lastly, to me, the most important factors are to be aware of the needs of the children and teach English considering these needs. First of all, teachers need to be aware that their learners are "millennial" learners, and they need technological tools and digital platforms to learn more effectively. For example, teachers can use Augmented Reality technology to teach vocabulary. It will be an effective way to teach vocabulary, which will draw children’s attention. If they learn English while they are enjoying it, they will learn better. These kinds of innovations can positively affect English language learning. Also, teachers have to know how to make English learning more attractive to children. To do this, they need to provide a meaningful learning process. In other words, learners need to be aware of what they are doing and learning. For example, I was learning vocabulary by writing the same words in five times with its Turkish meaning. This technique is useless because I was memorizing some words without comprehending the contextual meaning. I would not have a chance to correlate them with my native language because it was a meaningless activity. Yet, teachers, teacher trainers, and curriculum developers can create a meaningful environment for children to learn more efficiently. To give an example, they can utilize from AR while teaching vocabulary, or they can use PowToon to show grammatical structures. Briefly, there are many platforms to make the learning process more attractive and fun for English learners, and educators should be aware of all the platforms or tools to provide an effective learning process.
As a consequence, learning English at early ages do not only have various advantages, including learning the second language faster and efficiently, adopting pronunciation, and improving the cognitive process but also it has several disadvantages, including delaying the development of the first language and not being ready for the second language. To me, the disadvantages can be solved with a good education, qualified teacher, and curriculum. In brief, teachers have to be aware of the needs of the learners and prepare effective and attractive lesson plans for them, which will enhance the learning process of the learners in a positive way.
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