The Right Age to Start a Bilingual Education 孩子开始双语教育的最佳年龄

Bilingual education experts from YCIS Beijing were attended the recent Distinguished Speakers Series, an event featuring a panel of educationalists from around Beijing discussing themes central to education. This year’s theme was bilingualism and, more specifically, the right time to begin a child’s bilingual education. 

北京耀中的双语教育专家参加了最近举办的“杰出演讲者系列座谈会”，这是一个北京教育专家们进行教育研讨的活动。 今年的主题是“双语”，更具体地说，是探讨开始儿童双语教育的最佳时间。

Thanks to our unique and effective bilingual co-teaching model and reimagined Learning Communities that enhance bilingual acquisition, YCIS Beijing’s contributing panelist, Year 3 co-teacher Jane Kang, was able to offer valuable insight into this important topic.

得益于我们独特和有效的双语共同教学模式和新改造的学习社区都加强双语教学，北京耀中的代表，三年级老师Jane Kang对主题发表了独到的见解。

In the following interview, Ms. Kang discusses the right time to begin bilingual education, offers tips for parents interested in giving their children the best bilingual experience outside of classroom walls, and shares what makes YCIS Beijing the ideal choice for students to learn in a bilingual environment.

在接下来的访谈中，Kang女士谈到了开始双语教育的正确时间，为那些有兴趣为孩子在课外提供最好的双语体验的家长提供建议，并分享了北京耀中如何为学生双语学习提供理想环境。

When is the right time to begin bilingual education?

什么时间是开始双语教育的最佳时间？

While researchers debate an ideal period to learn a second language, they generally agree that earlier is better. A regular concern of parents is that if a child’s too young, a second language might confuse them. Researchers and pediatricians may have agreed with that a long time ago, but there’s now a bulk of research that shows it doesn’t confuse them, but in fact offers a variety of benefits. 

虽然研究人员一直在争论学习第二语言的最佳时间，他们普遍认为越早越好。 父母经常关心的是，如果一个孩子太小，第二语言可能会带来混淆。 研究人员和儿科医生在很久以前就可能达成了共识，并且现在也有大量的研究表明这并不会带来混淆，事实上反而提供了各种好处。

Learning a second language at a young age increases gray matter density in the brain, which is linked to higher intelligence. It also increases a part of the brain that improves one’s ability to focus.

在小时候学习第二语言增加了大脑中的灰质密度，这与高智力有关。 它也扩大大脑主管聚焦能力的部分。

Tap “Read more” below to learn more about how YCIS Beijing’s teaching model can give your children the best bilingual experience available.

点击下面的“阅读更多”，了解更多关于北京的教学模式如何能给你的孩子最好的双语体验。