(C9T1WT2)Someexpertsbelievethatitisbetterforchildrentobeginlearningaforeignlanguageatprimaryschoolratherthansecondaryschool
Dotheadvantagesofthisoutweighthedisadvantages
Traditionally,childrenhavebegunstudyingforeignlanguagesatsecondaryschool,butintroducingthemearlierisrecommendedbysomeeducationalists
Thispolicyhasbeenadoptedbysomeeducationalauthoritiesorindividualschools,withbothpositiveandnegativeoutcomes
Theobviousargumentinitsfavoristhatyoungchildrenpickuplanguagesmuchmoreeasilythanteenagers
Theirbrainsarestillprogrammedtoacquiretheirmothertongue,whichfacilitateslearninganotherlanguage,andunlikeadolescents,theyarenotinhabitedbyself-consciousness
Thegreaterflexibilityoftheprimarytimetableallowsformorefrequent,shortersessionsandforaplay-centeredapproach,thusmaintaininglearners'enthu