Dear Teacher, Please help me with this essay

TOPIC: Being able to speak a foreign language is an advantage these days. Some people think that children should start learning a foreign language at primary school, while others think children should begin in secondary school.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

ESSAY:

A good command of a foreign language is essential to everybody these days. Many, therefore, feel that children should be taught a foreign language at primary school while others think that process should be delayed until secondary school. In my opinion, children should begin learning a second language at an early stage.

Firstly, I think that children can greatly benefit from the education of a foreign language as early as primary school. Teaching is highly effective at this stage due to many psychological factors. On account of children’s inquisitive mind and curiosity at an early age, they are willing to receive new an unfamiliar knowledge without much difficulty. Their capacity to acquire the rudimentary understanding of the foreign language is also enhanced by their lack inhibition, shyness and fear of making mistake. That way, teacher can easily recognize their weakness and try to improve them. Furthermore, children can easily acquaint themselves with the language because they do not sense any pressure from their parents or teachers. Children also focus on learning that language rather than divide their time and energy to complete other school tasks.

On the other hand, it is feared that children have not been equipped with the sufficient knowledge and skills to begin learning a foreign language so soon. For example, many people argue that children should have a fairly good command of their native language and a thorough understanding of their culture before focusing on a second language. Learning the language in secondary school is beneficial because at that time students can have a better incentive and focus. They should also have developed self-studying skills in order to learn in the most effective way. Notwithstanding, I believe teaching students a foreign language from an early stage enables them to have more time and energy, thus ultimately laying the foundation for later education in the subject. In view of their studies and demands from other subjects, I believe they can lose interest should they begin at secondary school.

In conclusion, I firmly believe it would be best for children to start learning a foreign language at primary school. At this stage, they should have more energy, time and desire to broaden their mind.