Benefits of Pre-K: Dual Language (Spanish/English)

By Sunny D. Rivas Tena

Learning multiple languages is a journey that leads to many rewards. Here are  five reasons to be excited about Pre-K: Dual Language (Spanish/English).

1. Opportunity. Take advantage of this educational resource! Want your child to explore other cultures in the local and global community? Interested in Dual Language Kindergarten? Curious if Spanish is part of the educational path you want for your child? Our Pre-K: Dual Language (Spanish/English) program could be a fun adventure as well as an opportunity to find out if a longer dual language program is right for your family.
2. Brain boost! The brain is a muscle that benefits from exercise, growing as it's used. Learning more than one language requires code-switching, differentiation, inhibition, creativity, and more. All of these are great ways to strengthen that gray-matter during the period of synaptic exuberance present between ages 4-8.
3. Connections! Knowing more than one language can open the way for new and stronger relationships. From friends to family, many people appreciate it when others genuinely try to learn their home language.
4. Global Destinations. There are more than twenty nations and territories around the world where Spanish is the official language (1). But you may not even need to travel outside of this country! Many states throughout the U.S. have lively Spanish-speaking communities. 
5. Books! The U.S. has new book releases every month. However, can you ever really read too many books? Books are teacher favorites because they help with literacy, critical thinking, empathy, and imagination. Books from other cultures create the opportunity for new experiences without leaving the classroom. Spain and Argentina are among the top 15 book publishers world wide since 2015 (1).

Learning multiple languages such as English and Spanish can greatly benefit a student's life. As a dual language learner, they would have the opportunity to strengthen their thinking both academically and socially. Knowing more than one language is a benefit many kids are later thankful for. 

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Resources:
(1) Instituto Cervantes. (2018) El español: una lengua viva. Departamento de Comunicación Digital del Instituto Cervantes.
https://cvc.cervantes.es/lengua/espanol_lengua_viva/pdf/espanol_lengua_viva_2018.pdf ​

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