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Teach English in Weizi Zhen - Changzhi Shi

Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in Weizi Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Changzhi Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.

Bilingualism is increasingly common in today’s world. With the convenience of international travel, the rise of multinational corporations, and the emphasis on diversity in our society, many adults recognize the value of knowing a second language. However, they also lament the difficulty of acquiring a new language in adulthood. This brings us to the importance of learning a second language in childhood. Research has established the existence of a “sensitive period” for language acquisition—in this period before puberty, children can acquire a second language relatively easily, reaching native-like proficiency in grammar and having nearly no foreign accent. A few of the many reasons for children to learn a second language include enhanced cognitive development, future career advantages, and greater opportunities for social connection. Language exposure influences language development, which in turn affects the development of executive functions in the brain. Executive functions encompass our highest-order cognitive processes, like working memory, reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and execution. Learning a second language gives an individual dual language exposure. Knowing two languages causes individuals to further develop their executive function—when speaking or listening in one language, they must inhibit the other language in order to concentrate their attention on the language of interest. This constant inhibition and attentional control enhances their executive function, which then benefits all other areas of cognitive development and function. A child can carry these brain advantages through the rest of their lives. In fact, being bilingual is even associated with decreased cognitive decline in old age. Having foreign language proficiency also benefits a child in their future career. No matter the field, experience level, or position, knowing a foreign language sets them apart from other applicants. Employers value the ability to communicate with customers and collaborators seamlessly in another language, and individuals can best develop this professional proficiency of a second language in childhood. Learning a second language also enables a child to build meaningful social connections with a wider range of people. Because language is a powerful avenue for culture and connection, a child who knows a second language has the unique opportunity to be part of a different community. This allows a child to become more open-minded, culturally aware, and understand their own identity. I certainly had this experience. I grew up learning Mandarin Chinese from my parents at home. Although I could not read or write, I could speak at a basic level and understand most everyday language. In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing. Because of my language background, I was able to become part of the local communities much more than some of my peers could. I learned about the plight of migrant workers from the local baozi stand owner, the Chinese dating culture from a graduate student I befriended, and end-of-life care in China from fellow volunteers at China’s first hospice care center. These experiences motivated me to continue to improve my language skills in order to continue to have deep, meaningful conversations with locals. I’m truly grateful for my experience of learning Mandarin from a young age and hope to enable others to experience this as well.


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