At The Woods Academy, our students begin learning a second language as early as 4 years old. Our Montessori Owls (Pre-K students) start by having World Language once a week - half of the year is in French and half is in Spanish. By Kindergarten, they are taking World Language four times a week. By the time you’re in Grade 1, you receive instruction in Spanish or French every single school day.
World Language is part of our core curriculum - just like Language Arts or Math - and has been that way since The Woods Academy opened in 1975. From the beginning, we’ve seen the benefits of offering a world language from Montessori to Grade 8. The benefits are endless, including:
- Early Language Acquisition
- Easier language acquisition: Young children have a natural ability to absorb and mimic sounds and language patterns, making it easier for them to become fluent in multiple languages.
- Native-like pronunciation: Children who learn a language at a young age are more likely to develop native-like pronunciation and accent.
- Enhanced Cognitive Development and Flexibility
- Improved problem-solving skills: Learning a second language helps children develop strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
- Better memory: Bilingual individuals often have better memory and recall skills, which can be beneficial in various aspects of life, including academics.
- Enhanced multitasking: Learning two languages simultaneously can improve a child's ability to switch between tasks and adapt to changing environments.
- Improved Linguistic Skills
- Improved first-language skills: Learning a second language can deepen a child's understanding of their native language, including grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills.
- Greater language flexibility: Bilingual children are often more adept at adapting their language use to different contexts and audiences.
- Better Academic Performance
- Improved test scores: Studies have shown that bilingual students tend to perform better on standardized tests, particularly in areas like math and reading comprehension.
- Stronger literacy skills: Bilingual children often excel in reading and writing, as they are exposed to different writing systems and linguistic structures.
- Cultural Awareness and Empathy
- Increased cultural sensitivity: Learning a second language exposes children to different cultures and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding.
- Improved Job Prospects
- Competitive advantage: In a globalized world, bilingualism is an asset in many careers and industries, which can open doors to international job opportunities and higher earning potential.
- Social and Communication Skills
- Enhanced communication: Bilingual children often have better communication skills, as they are accustomed to navigating different linguistic and social contexts.
- Increased self-confidence: Mastering a second language can boost a child's self-esteem and social confidence.
It’s clear that learning a second language has a positive impact on a child’s life - cognitive development, academic success, and cultural awareness, providing them extremely valuable skills and opportunities in their life.
At The Woods Academy, if you were to start here at age 3, you will have had approximately 354,375 minutes of World Language instruction by the time you graduate - 200% more instruction than what children receive at MCPS from K - Grade 8. This number doesn’t include our immersive field trips to France and Spain in Grade 8, or field trips and projects in other grades.
Watch our World Language Team Leader and Middle School French Teacher Madame Jibladze speak to ABC7 about the benefits of starting a second language at a young age, and how The Woods prepares its students to succeed in their academic life and beyond!