Name : Muhammad Zainal Arifin
NIM : 200502502001
Class : English Education A
Subject : Academic Writing
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE OF
PRIMARY SCHOOL (AGE 6-10)? ARE THERE ANY DRAWBACKS TO EARLY
LANGUAGE LEARNING?
The statement of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia
on the commemoration of National Education Day on May 2, 2013, can be interpreted as
support for the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia's statement on
the National Education Day commemoration on May 2, 2013. The golden generation will be
the topic of the 2013 National Education Day observance (Karlina, 2014). The proclamation
was founded on the fact that Indonesia will benefit from a demographic boost from 2010 to
2035, with the greatest population of productive age in the country's history. Massive
investments in human resource development will be made to celebrate Indonesia's 100th year
of independence in 2045. To raise the golden generation, the Minister of Education and
Culture also supports the Early Childhood Education movement, which aims to increase
access to education at all levels. The key to successfully raising the golden generation is to
provide a good and equitable education. Because English is an international language, the
announcement of the golden generation must be followed up with the introduction of English
from an early age. Mastery of English is a vehicle for worldwide and global participation. By
introducing English as early as possible, the nation's citizens will be better equipped to
traverse the world of science and technology while maintaining a strong sense of national
identity.
In general, 2nd language gaining knowledge of for fundamental college youngsters,
particularly the age variety of 6-10 years, is excellent due to the fact their cognitive
competencies are nicely developed. Their capacity to research the language is quicker while
in comparison to youngsters over 12 years old (Rosaria & Novika, 2018). In its
implementation, there are several obstacles encountered such as students having difficulty
understanding these foreign language subjects. This is quite reasonable considering the
position of English in Indonesia as a foreign language. Harmoko added that one of the
functions of language is as a communication tool. Understanding each other in the
communication process requires a common understanding of the language used. In addition,
language is also seen as a symbol of the identity of a community or country. Therefore, the
existence of a language is very important (Fausey, Long, & Boroditsky, 2010). This is by the
statement from the researcher which states about the meaning of a foreign language, namely a
language that is not used as a means of communication in certain countries where the
language is taught (Ira, 2015). The definition of a foreign language is a language that is not
used for daily communication but is actively used in the classroom only when the learning
and teaching process takes place. Everything need to have a purpose, be it academic dreams
or gain something. Just like coaching a second language for simple college children, mainly
the ones elderly 6-10 years. Some of the goals of the coaching are, to expand conversation
skills, to elevate attention of the character and significance of language. Foreign languages
and expand information among languages. The coaching approach of speakme in English can
enhance kid's conversation skills, both in my view or in groups (Naiborhu, 2019).
It is difficult to learn a new language. It follows a completely new set of sophisticated
rules, structures, and lexicon. As a result, the child's brain must work harder. It must be able
to understand and absorb new patterns despite their complexities. Gradually, as the child's
brain learns to grasp new words and assists the child in communicating, the child's cognitive
thinking and problem-solving skills grow. “Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you
where its people come from and where they are going” (Fausey et al., 2010). These abilities
are useful in both personal and professional situations. Learning a second language entails
conversing in a foreign tongue. The youngster does not learn a language that will prevent him
from interacting with others. As a result, youngsters must strengthen their memory to learn
another language properly. This is because the youngster is now receiving more information
regularly and in response to urgent queries. Not only does learning a new language
necessitate familiarity with terminology and conventions, but it also necessitates the capacity
to remember and apply information.
And putting this new language into practice daily is like taking a child's brain to the
gym. It simply keeps getting better and better. You will be able to recall names, directions,
information, and numbers more quickly if you are multilingual. You are multitasking on the
brain when you have to request different language information from the brain and switch
between languages. Mental juggling is another term for this multitasking of the brain.
Bilingual brains are better equipped for high mental ability activities since they are habituated
to switching between languages. For example, it eliminates extraneous data and concentrates
on the most significant data. They help you multitask more effectively. Benefits in
academics, benefits in daily life, and drawbacks of early language learning are just a few of
the advantages and disadvantages of early language learning. Mastery of English is one of the
basic capitals to be able to compete in the global era, especially the ASEAN Community
(Handayani, 2016).
Children will not feel as if English is an alien language to them. English is no longer a
terrifying ghost for them because they have learnt it since childhood. “If you talk to a man in
a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that
goes to his heart” (Corps, 1996). Because they can listen to English while watching children's
cartoons on foreign channels, they will feel more at ease. During the current crisis in
children's television consumption, it appears that foreign cartoons or shows like Discovery
Channel are a healthy and enjoyable alternative. Children who are fluent in English are said
to have more skills, making it easier for them to enjoy their school days. This is because
English skills are considered even in primary school. Many English language competitions
are also held, and pupils who win them are seen as more valuable by their teachers and peers.
Knowledge's doors are wide open. English is the language of knowledge, the language of the
most up-to-date scientific training, both online and offline, as is well known. With an
understanding of English, a youngster can gain access to more information and knowledge
from other countries, making it easier for him to stay current on scientific breakthroughs.
The impact is bigger in terms of value and analytical power than his friends who are
unaware of the information. According Abraham Oommen (2012) “The importance of
English as a global language is unquestionable and to become a competent user of this
language is the demand of the time.” This means that the importance of English as a global
language is no longer in doubt and being a language user who can speak English is a demand
at all times.
Teaching English in fundamental faculties calls for procedural, methodological, and
formal requirements, consisting of making vocabulary as a tenet that have to be strictly
followed, the load of evaluation (exams), and additionally memorization issues that have to
be following pronunciation (Ninawati, 2012). Learning a new language is a difficult task. It
adheres to a completely different set of sophisticated rules, systems, and vocabularies. As a
result, the intellect of the child must be more engaged. These abilities are useful in both
personal and professional contexts. Speaking in a foreign language is part of learning a
second language. A younger man or woman who is no longer studying a language will be
spared from social interaction. As a result, younger people desire to strengthen their memory
so that they can properly interpret any other language. Carmen Muñoz, professor of English
linguistics and applied linguistics at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and her research
team found that language-learning children did not outperform adults when the two groups
received the same amount of language instruction. They drew this conclusion from data
collected through a long-term study on the development of English proficiency in students
aged 8, 11, 14, and over 18 in Barcelona[ CITATION Ras20 \l 1057 ].
Early language learning has a number of advantages and disadvantages in terms of
academics, daily life, and drawbacks. It is difficult to learn a completely new language. It
follows a completely different set of rules, procedures, and language. As a result, the child's
mental activity must increase. These abilities come in handy in both personal and
professional settings. Speaking in an international language is part of learning a second
language. A younger man or woman who is no longer studying a language will be able to
avoid social interaction. As a result, younger people seek to improve their memory so that
they can interpret any language effectively. This is because younger people now have access
to more information on a regular basis and can respond to urgent requests. It just keeps rising
higher and higher. If you are multilingual, you may be able to remember names, directions,
records, and numbers more quickly. There are also several English tournaments, with the
winners being regarded by instructors and friends as having a higher worth. Compared to his
friends who aren't aware of the records, the effect is larger in terms of expense and analytical
energy. The mother tongue of the child should be fluent from the age of 24. According to a
study, if preschoolers are taught to study a second language for a long time, they are more
likely to learn it, their ability to grasp their mother tongue lessens as they get older. Of
course, this could hinder the language from improving. Children learn about their cultural
heritage in a variety of ways, including through language.
References
Corps, P. (1996). At home in the world: The Peace Corps story. Washington, DC: Peace
Corps.
Fausey, C. M., Long, B. L., Inamori, A., & Boroditsky, L. (2010). Constructing agency: the
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