Importance of Being Bilingual

In the United States, it is important for a person to speak English fluently because it is the official language in America and everybody communicates in English. Many people believe that English should be the only language in America and that sometimes people may face prejudice when they speak English with an accent. For some parents, the fear of prejudice makes them decided not to teach their children their native tongue. On the other hand, there are many other reasons why some parents want to teach their children their native tongue. Gabriela Kuntz explains in My Spanish Standoff why she did not allow her children to speak Spanish at home. Kuntz’s explanations are acceptable, but some research studies reveal that most young children can learn two or more languages. Also, many researchers say that children can learn a second language faster than adults.

Kuntz describes that she came to the United States with her family in the early 1950's when she was 6 years old. At that time, her family lived in a community where there were only three Hispanic families. Also, there were very few Hispanic students in the school where she attended. She explains that learning English during that time was a matter of survival because her teachers and classmates spoke no Spanish. As a result, Kuntz becomes very proficient in English. She married to an American man, and they moved to Texas to live. It was in Texas where Kuntz saw many Hispanics for the first time. Kuntz witnessed many incidents in which the Anglos prejudiced against the Hispanics. She also faced some prejudices against her. For instance, the salesperson either ignored or followed her when she walked into department stores.

Kuntz emphasizes in My Spanish Standoff that her children ...

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.... Moreover, researchers say in ‘When does The Brain Stop Growing?’ that learning a second language at the ages between 5 and 12 is much more effective than learning it at teenage or adult ages. More importantly, some researchers discover that human brains rapidly grow the most at the ages between 5 and 12. After these ages, the development of human brains slows down gradually.

As a person who speaks English with an accent, I always have a fear of being prejudiced just like the fear that Kuntz and her husband have for their children. I understand why Kuntz does not want to teach her children Spanish. However, I learn that most children have the capability to learn two or more languages. More importantly, most children can learn languages much faster and adults. Therefore, parents should teach their children a second language such as our native tongue at young ages.