Parents and teachers today are increasingly aware of the need to raise their children to be bilingual. They have witnessed an ever growing need for acquiring new languages and mastering the awareness of other cultures. Preparing our young children of today for the world of tomorrow is not only our responsibility but our immediate task at hand. Experts continually report, the earlier the better when it comes to introducing a second language to children ages birth through ten.
Why is this age so ripe for the language learning? During the first five years of life a young child is less self conscious about any possible mistakes made while practicing a new found language. In fact, one of the reasons why young children are so successful in picking up the new sounds of a new language is because they are less inhibited when it comes to trying the new language on for size when compared to older children and adults. One of the greatest things realized here is that native and near native pronunciation is one of the positive side effects enjoyed when children learn a second language this early in life.
Research pours in demonstrating the many benefits derived from second and third and fourth language learning early in life. The first of which is directly connected with Ready to Read, Ready to Learn, Born to Read and other education initiatives that promote early reading skills. Did you realize that children who are being introduced to a second language during the first five years of life will exhibit advanced reading skills when compared to monolingual peers? Dr. Ellen Bialystok of York University and her team of research experts have conducted many studies on child language acquisition. Their studies show time and time again that the children who receive instruction in two languages score twice as high on language tests than their monolingual peers. These bilingual children also read sooner according to the published reports. (Dr Ellen Bialystok, 2001)
As a teacher, it is easy to understand the reasoning as to why this happens. If a child is learning English in their home, and the parents begin to add Spanish vocabulary words and phrases into the daily routine of that child by placing the new language right alongside the native language, the child then begins to decode the two languages simultaneously. Experts advise that it is just as easy for a baby, toddler and preschool age child to learn two words for one item as it is to learn only one word. There is no confusion on the part of the child. There will be no language delay. There will simply be the additional vocabulary words added to the list that the child is able to master as he begins to verbalize his understanding of the world around him.
The use of bilingual DVDs, CDs, and books that introduce the new language in a true bilingual presentation are highly suggested by experts in the fields of linguistics and early childhood development. Immersion can work, but latest findings suggest that the bilingual method, one where the native language is placed right alongside the new language, provides for higher level of self confidence, better language acquisition and understanding, and increased long term retention. Many experts advise saving immersion methods for the later elementary school years and into middle and high school when most children have mastered the majority of their native language skills.
Standardized tests have become a way to measure the success of our children and their level of learning, from elementary school all the way through college. A 2002 study out of Miami-Dade County public schools reported that children receiving instruction in both Spanish and English scored 23-34 points higher in the verbal and math sections on standardized tests. (Dr.Joanne Urratia, 2002) Being aware of this benefit derived from second language learning should be enough of a motivation for school systems nationwide to begin early language learning at the preschool and elementary school level. Now, do not chuckle. I know that with budget cuts and lack of funding for even decent salaries, our children will never see this happen.
That is why it is up to us as parents and teachers to use this information about the best way to bring second language learning into the lives of our young children, and make it happen immediately. Do not worry if you yourself do not speak a second language. As Drs. Kendall King and Alison Mackey tell us in their book titled The Bilingual Edge (2007), the key is the ability of the parent or teacher to interact with the child using the second language. They inform us as well that the critical piece does not rest on you having perfect pronunciation and native accent. Children learn their native language and new language in spite of grammatical errors you might make or imperfect speech that might be directed their way.
A bilingual child typically enjoys the titles of great communicator and excellent problem solver. These coveted titles cover the last of the top three benefits of learning a second language early in life. It seems quite logical that a young child, who is being introduced to a second language during the years when his brain is experiencing amazing developmental growth, will in turn develop excellent communication skills. If you heard but forgot or perhaps never heard this statistic at all, it is an important one: At birth 25% of your brain is developed and by age five 90% of your brain is developed. Due to the part of the brain being used to acquire these language skills, the bilingual child becomes skillful in problem solving. I am certain you would agree that these two titles can assist a person on their journey of life.
Let us begin the task at hand today. Allow your child to experience the gift of learning a second language using true bilingual methods and products. Then enjoy watching your child delight in the many benefits derived from an early introduction to new languages. Who knows, maybe your child will be reading you your good night story soon.
There are many -- way more than just 10. But due to space limitations, I'll just list 10 out of hundreds:
1. By learning chording techniques, you are at least quadrupling your chances of creating exciting new sounds on the piano -- sounds that most other piano players have no idea how to create. That's because arranging using chord techniques is open-ended -- there's no end to the styles and applications you can eventually learn and apply.
2. Learning chording techniques in NO WAY interferes with your ability to sight-read music. Some ill-informed people think it does, but not so! Ask any great jazz musician from Dave Brubeck to Andre Previn to Oscar Peterson to Chuck Corea to.... They ALL read music prolifically, yet choose to apply chording techniques to song after song, creating many of the great classic tunes we all know, like "Take Five", etc, etc.
Knowing chords and being able to apply techniques to those chords actually HELPS YOU TO SIGHT-READ FASTER, because instead of just seeing groups of random notes on the sheet music, you can see chord patterns forming and dissolving into yet another chord, another chord progression!
3. Knowing chords and applying chording techniques allows you to become a first-rate accompanist for singers and other musicians, should you want to do that. You will be able to "wrap the chords" around the singer to support them, rather than be in competition by playing the melody from the sheet music. You'll be able to create fills and counter-melodies and a host of other devices that can make you the most desired accompanist in your area.
4. By knowing chords and chording patterns you will automatically open the door to opportunities to play at places you never could if you only "play music as written". When people hear you play, they will immediately sense that "this person knows what they are doing", which can very well bring invitations to play in fraternal clubs, churches, community centers, and even weddings and funerals. I have had students of retirement age who have fulfilled their lifelong dream to play in public, even if in a small venue. I recall a CPA in Washington State who took lessons from me by cassette for a couple years and got good enough to play at a local restaurant-pub on weekends. He didn't need the money, but just LOVED the opportunity to play for folks and have them sing along.
5. Being able to apply chords to song after song means you NEVER HAVE TO PLAY A SONG THE SAME WAY TWICE! When people see me play, they often ask me to play the song again -- but are often surprised when I play it again, since I create new chord progressions and fills and improvisations each time -- so it never sounds the same.
There's a classic story about Erroll Garner, the great pianist and composer of the classic song "Misty". A lady came up to him after a concert and raved about how he played "Misty", and asked him to play it again the same way. His reply was "I can't remember how I played it last time -- but I'll play it again anyway", which greatly surprised the lady.
6. Knowing chords and chord progressions will give you a confidence you've never known before. It's exhilarating to know that you're no longer "tied to the written music", but are free to soar through the musicphere unhindered by traditional limitations! If you've never known such a feeling you are in for the musical treat of your life.
7. Knowing chords and chording techniques is "self-feeding". That is, the more you apply the techniques you know, the more new techniques will gradually become apparent. For example, once you master left-hand chords in a "hand-over arpeggio" form, if will some day occur to you that you can do the same in the right-hand. That will not just double your potential in that area, but multiply it exponentially, because you will come to see opportunity after opportunity to apply those arpeggios in many different ways -- from "music box" sounds to "waterfalls" to "flowing river of sounds" techniques and so on.
8. As you become more and more proficient with chord applications, you may discover that other musicians want to play along with you. Many a combo, band, worship team, etc. has been formed simply because one musician heard another playing, and liked what they heard. That not only leads to friendship and opportunities to play in some public forum, but also is a wonderful way to learn even more new techniques from the other members of the group!
9. Music theory, which once looked like a giant puzzle to you, now gradually becomes self-evident as you understand more and more about music and how it all works. I recall taking a music theory course in college after playing in a small group for a few years, and it was so easy I challenged the course after a couple weeks, and easily passed it. Years later many of my young private students (I used to operate a teaching school for years names "Piano University") challenged the course too, as they started their college work. And the more you master chords and their implications, the easier music theory will become for you as well.
10. You'll just plain-old have FUN once you get the hang of it. Many of my students have no intention of ever playing in public, but want to play for their own relaxation after work, or just for fun with the family.
That's great and as it should be. Each of us has different needs and different goals, so what we do with our piano playing is entirely up to us. Piano playing is one of the most satisfying hobbies you could possibly have, and the more you "do your own thing" on the piano in the way of arranging songs using chording techniques, the more fun it becomes!
So what are you waiting for? Jump in and enjoy it!
Both Beth Butler & Duane Shinn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.