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December 6, 2012

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In today's world, learning a foreign language is more important than ever. Multiple studies have shown the benefits of doing so. Per Language Tree, the top five reasons for learning a foreign language are:

Better overall academic performance and higher standardized test scores¹
Improved cognitive, critical thinking, and creative abilities²
Standing out in college entrance applications
Greater competitive advantage in the global workplace³
Stronger appreciation and understanding of other cultures⁴

Language Tree believes that the younger children start, the better. Children's brains are like sponges and young learners possess the capacity to develop near native pronunciation in a new language.

However, getting kids to study another language is not always easy. Traditional language learning can be boring to kids if the emphasis is on memorization of vocabulary and teachers rely solely on traditional tools such as books, flash cards, and audio CDs. To engage children, you must engage all of their senses, as well as their sense of fun.

Language Tree has gone to great lengths to develop new and innovative ways to make language learning enjoyable and to help young learners quickly and effortlessly gain spoken proficiency in a new language.

The Language Tree Difference

Language Tree has worked with researchers and instructors from leading language schools and universities to develop their highly-effective teaching tools:

Multi-Cognition Approach™: Their unique 3-tier methodology helps kids learn more, at a faster rate, and helps them to better retain what they've learned.
Audio and Visual Stimulation: Language Tree products use stimulating audio and video reinforcements to help the brain process new information more quickly.
Fun to Watch: Their online classes and DVDs feature realistic storylines, colorful 3D animation and fun sing-along songs to reinforce new words and phrases.
Inspirational Characters: Language Tree makes language learning "cool" by introducing positive role models that inspire children to speak a new language.
Cultural Awareness: Their lessons highlight the diverse cultures of today.
Continuous, Interactive Learning: Language Tree has embedded fun games throughout, that test lesson comprehension.

Online Language Courses

Beginner Spanish Online is an in-depth curriculum for new Spanish learners, developed by Two-Way Bilingual Immersion educators. This self-paced course is the equivalent to a 12-week, once weekly class. Spanish is taught using a combination of videos, audio clips, reviews, and classroom-style teaching to ensure fast language acquisition and maximum retention of course content.

"The Language Tree online program provides a user-friendly approach to language learning. The online lessons are engaging and clear; the exercises are well thought out and provide reinforcement and review."

Susan Briziarelli
Associate Dean of Italian, Adelphi University

"Language Tree offers language learners a scaffolded and highly interactive opportunity to learn their target language. Featuring children as speakers in the video clips provides a natural approach to language learning."

David Noyes
Author and Writer, McGraw Hill's Open Court English Learner Support Guide

Foreign Language Learning DVDs

For a fun and effective introduction to a new language, Language Tree offers language learning DVDs with innovative features to keep kids engaged from start to finish. Language Tree offers a wide selection of the most popular languages including Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and American Sign Language.

"I've reviewed the Chinese for Kids video and really like the Multi-Cognition Approach on which it is based. I also like the organization of the story. I believe that both children and adults who deal with children will find it entertaining while learning Chinese."

Dr. Lihua Zhangg
Dept. of East Asian Languages and Culture, UC Berkeley

"Learning French has never been so much fun. This wonderful program introduces children to the language using a setting that they can easily relate to and non-intimidating vocabulary. A comprehensive phrase review and song booklet is included that contains all of the dialogue, translations, and answers to the quizzes. A must-have for every collection."

School Library Journal

Tips for Making Language Learning Fun

Use tools that engage the senses. Have your kids see and hear conversations through videos, sing along with songs, and play games that require interaction.
Show your kids role models of other kids speaking the language.
Practice simple phrases with your children. For example, ask them simple questions in the target language during dinnertime.
Expose children to multilingual settings, such as cultural events or ethnic eateries, and give them plenty of opportunities to practice with others.
Maintain home (heritage) language when a second language is being learned outside the home.

1) A 2007 study in Harwich, Massachusetts, showed that students who studied a foreign language in an articulated sequence outperformed their non-foreign language learning peers on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test after two-three years and significantly outperformed them after seven-eight years on all MCAS subtests
2) National Network for Early Language Learning (NNEL)
3) American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
4) ACTFL