Multi
linguistic capability is essential in today’s globalized
collaborations and world economy. As the world is
beginning to recognize China's rise in international
standings, it has become apparent that a strong grasp of
the Chinese language and the ability to overcome
language barriers will prove to be a great asset for
success. There are currently 40,000,000 people in the
world learning Chinese, and with a 5-10% increase every
year, this number will reach 100 million in 5 years.
Under these circumstances, the question for us is no
longer whether or not to learn Chinese, but rather how
best to learn it -- how best to increase our children's
competitiveness in a new society.The
optimal time to learn new languages is at a young age,
when children can not only develop their mother tongue,
but also easily pick up a second language. Neuro-developmental
and psychological studies have demonstrated that the
first six years of life comprise the critical period for
language development, as well as the optimal time to
learn a second language. After this critical period,
the difficulty of learning another language increases
with age. Regarding the most effective way of learning
a second language, research has proven that stimulus and
success rates are directly proportional, where greater
volume and frequency of stimuli are the most important
determinants of success. Taking into consideration as
well the limited attention span of children, the
projected benefits of daily study far surpasses those of
weekly study.
We all
know that children have flexible tongues, and excellent
memorization and observation skills. In addition,
children have great curiosity and a thirst for
knowledge. In contrast to adult language learning,
which relies on cognition, language acquisition for
children derives from rote memory. Taking advantage of
what we know about the ways children learn, it becomes
essential to provide the best environment and means for
them to learn a second language, while encouraging their
interest in learning, in order to achieve the best
results.
Welcome
to Huayuan Chinese Academy, the first after school
Chinese educational institution in the greater
Washington DC metro area, where your children will learn
Chinese in an enriched Chinese environment on a daily
basis and their interest in the language and culture
will be fostered. We look forward to seeing you and are
ready to start working with your children.
Your
vision determines the future success of your children
Huayuan Chinese Academy
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