Extending language learning
Students will answer questions based on the Science News article "There's extra time to learn a language."
Educator Guide: There’s Extra Time to Learn a Language
SPEAK EASY People who start learning English as a second language by age 10 to 12 attain high levels of grammar knowledge, researchers say. Bilingual success starting at such late ages suggests language learning happens over a much longer period than typically thought.
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About this guide
The article “There’s extra time to learn a language” describes a new study in which people who started learning English as a second language by age 10 to 12 were able to gain high levels of grammar knowledge. Students can focus on information reported in the article, follow connections to earlier articles about languages and language learning, and pursue cross-curricular connections in biology, and engineering and experimental design. In a related activity, students can compare the similarities and differences between languages to understand how those variations may influence language learning.
This Guide Includes:
Speak up
These discussion prompts encourage students to think about language families and language-focused technology.
Looking up languages
Students will explore and compare articles about languages and language learning as reported by Science News and Science News for Students.
Tongue tied
This activity will help students understand how the similarities and differences between languages may influence language learning.