So, I've got a smattering of several languages : German, French, Spanish, Irish Gaelic, and Mandarin Chinese...
Mandarin is a nightmare, because my ear isn't accustomed to looking for aforementioned tonal clues. Because I didn't get raised around half a dozen languages, syntax is terribly difficult in everything but my primary language.
That said, one needs to be exposed to several languages as a part of their education to encourage more flexible thought. Accustomed to putting language in several combinations will lead to more agile thought. Don't limit them to Spanish. 20% of the planet speaks some Chinese dialect. Get at least 2 in there.
YMMV, as I blame trying to learn several languages for exercising my brain. It *could* just be that more stimulus is good, and TV bad. :)
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So, I've got a smattering of several languages : German, French, Spanish, Irish Gaelic, and Mandarin Chinese...
Mandarin is a nightmare, because my ear isn't accustomed to looking for aforementioned tonal clues. Because I didn't get raised around half a dozen languages, syntax is terribly difficult in everything but my primary language.
That said, one needs to be exposed to several languages as a part of their education to encourage more flexible thought. Accustomed to putting language in several combinations will lead to more agile thought. Don't limit them to Spanish. 20% of the planet speaks some Chinese dialect. Get at least 2 in there.
YMMV, as I blame trying to learn several languages for exercising my brain. It *could* just be that more stimulus is good, and TV bad. :)