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GIVE THE GIFT OF LANGUAGE
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Melissa Beitz, CO-Owner
In 1991 Melissa Beitz and Robin Piquette of Chicago Illinois began studying and researching language learning and brain development in young children.
The research was conclusive. The optimal time for a child to learn languages is between birth and age 10. If a child learns a language before the age of 10, the information is stored in the same part of their brain as the first language, making this knowledge easier to learn and retain.
Most U.S. schools were not providing foreign language until the children were in middle school or high school. Children were clearly missing the opportunity to learn a new language and become biligual at the optimal time in their brain development. This is why individuals that learn a second language in high school often complain that they struggled or don't learn anything. These individuals assume it is because they are not successful at learning new languages when in fact it is because they were introduced to a new language so late in life and therefore missed their "window of opportunity" to become multilingual.
Beitz and Piquette felt passionate about giving children the tools to take advantage of this opportunity by creating and providing a foreign language program to young children throughout the Chicagoland area. Initially this was no easy task. The first hurdle was to educate parents and school administrators about the importance of early language learning. The second, was creating curriculum and materials for young children that would bridge the gap between classroom and home. The third hurdle was creating a program that could be implemented in as many settings as possible, whether it be public and private schools, daycare centers, preschools, etc.
After several years of fine tuning a program that meet State Board of Education benchmarks and that would successfully teach children new languages using the most effective teaching methods, Beitz and Piquette wanted to expand their program and reach as many children as possible.
"Through franchising we hope to continue providing children with a quality language program operated by individuals that are as passionate about educating young children as we are." -Melissa Beitz, CO-OWNER |
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Numerous benefits to learning a second language at a young age. Studies have shown that...
- Children who know more than one language have greater levels of success in other areas of study including reading, writing, grammar, social studies and math.
- In most cases, children improve their English skills by learning the structure of another language.
- On average, students score higher on SAT and ACT tests.
- Children are able to imitate new sounds with ease and are more likely to speak with native-live pronunciation.
- Studying a foreign language makes children more aware of other cultures.
- They are more sensitive to cultural diversity and are able to understand and relate to many different types of people.
- Learning a language takes time, and the earlier a child begins learning a new language, the longer they can continue to gain practice and experience.
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LANGUAGE LEADERS FRANCHISING, LLC.
3N503 Townhall Road
Elburn, IL 60119
1-877-532-3370.
support@language-leaders.com
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