Childhood Is The Biologically Correct Time
Birth to Age 7 is known as the Language Sensitive Period, a time when the brain is more sensitive to language environmental stimulation. Throughout the Language Sensitive Period, children can learn multiple languages easily and simultaneously, achieving fluency without accent. During this period, a child’s brain has 15 times more neurons than an adult’s and produces 700 synapses per second. After age 7, the brain prunes unused language synapses and seals the language brain domain, making foreign language acquisition difficult. At Bilingual Whiz Kidz, we leverage the Language Sensitive period to achieve bilingualism effortlessly.

What is scientifically amazing, is that if bilingualism is achieved by age 7, the brain does not lateralize (does not seal) the language domain, therefore bilinguals can easily pick up a third or fourth language as adults.

Cultural Mindfulness
Cultural exploration and cultural acceptance are natural benefits that accompany language learning. The wisdom and history of each language’s idioms instill an intuitive understanding and appreciation of different cultures and points of view that, because they are learned during the malleable early years, develop into character traits and unique processes of thought during adulthood; a priceless internal skillset to have in our diverse, 21 century democracies of equals. We encourage acceptance of different cultures through participation in activities: trying different ethnic foods, playing games, dancing, listening to music and reading stories about other countries.

Develop an Authentic Accent
Research shows that children who acquire a second language prior to age 7, develop more native-like pronunciation, speech patterns and intonation. Patkowski, 1990, Levitt, 2009).

Cost Effective
Parents appreciate the costs savings! Bilingualism is a job skillset acquired during preschool, effortlessly and efficiently. Mandatory language courses at major universities and high school foreign exchange programs are an expensive alternative to a preschool with an immersion program.

Cognitive Benefits: More Brain Power!
Almost 4 decades of research studies have validated that bilinguals dominate their monolingual peers in cognitive thinking capabilities involving enhanced creativity, memory, focus, problem-solving, flexible thinking, and ability to multi-task (Cummins, 2000; Dalgalian, 2000; Yoshida) Greater neural activity, especially during the preschool years, promotes denser brain tissue known as grey matter in the areas of the brain related to executive function, memory and language. 

Biology and Health
Research confirms that learning a second language before age five significantly alters the brain’s structure buy creating more neural connections than monolinguals, resulting in higher brain activity. This increased brain activity is so prominent and predictable that neurologists can identify bilingualism from a brain scan, as early as 11 months! Other studies show that learning foreign languages delays Alzheimers onset by 4 years and delays the onset of dementia (Woumans, 2013, Bialystok 2007; Craik, Freedman, 2010). 

Cross-Cultural Understanding  and Career
On vacation, it is amazing watching children use their bilingual skillsets to develop cross-cultural friendships. Bilinguals have a wider communication network, allowing them more robust opportunities and synchronicities on a global level. Twenty First Century communities are increasingly interdependent; language fluency and literacy allow a more complete interaction between global teams and peoples. Speaking multiple languages is a valuable skillset, creating additional job opportunities. Bilinguals tend to achieve literacy in two or more languages, allowing them access to more literature information than monolinguals. A wider social net equates to a richer life experience.

Academics
Multiple studies have demonstrated that people who are advanced speakers in more than one language outscore monolinguals on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence, as well as College SAT exams. (Cloud et al., 2000; Hakuta and Weatherford, 1986)

Self-esteem, Self-Confidence and Heritage
Self-discovery and self-activation are a natural product of bilingual achievement. Young children quickly recognize their accomplishment, which enhances self-esteem and confidence. Learning a language and its associated cultural heritage(s) creates a process of self-discovery, balancing how one views the world and other cultures with our own, creating an appreciation of one’s roots, culture, and family heritage.

The United States, with approximately 52 million Spanish speakers, has the 2nd largest Spanish speaking population in the world. Other than English, Spanish is the number one cash language in North America and provides a greater opportunity for daily application than any other language. Globally, 420 million people speak Spanish.

Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. There are approximately 1 billion people in the world who claim Mandarin as their native or primary language and this number is exponentially growing. Mandarin is spoken throughout mainland China, in Taiwan, in Malaysia, in Singapore, in Sydney, Australia and along the West Coast of the United States — particularly in California. It is the cash language of the Pacific Rim.

Who knows what dreams our children will manifest when they are able to speak, read, and write fluently in the three most spoken languages in the world, Mandarin, Spanish and English. In total, over half of planet Earth’s inhabitants!