At what age does the “window of opportunity” close for a child to easily learn another language?
Recent brain research indicates that there is a “window” for learning language in the young child that has nearly closed by the time he or she reaches the age of ten. Introducing a second language to a young child during this critical period takes advantage of the unique ability to learn it easily and naturally. Studies have consistently shown that immersion students do as well as, and may surpass, comparable non-immersion students on measures of verbal and math skills. Immersion students have been found to: • Experience positive effects on intellectual growth and attain a higher self-image • Achieve equal or higher levels than their peers, even when testing is in English • Perform as well as, or better than monolingual peers on math, science, social studies, reading and English tests • Attain higher SAT and ACT scores, especially in verbal areas In addition, immersion students can be expected to easily fulfill the newly mandated Oregon State Certificates of Initial and Advanced Master
