Innovative Book to Introduce Children to Spanish American Kids About to Become Polyglots

Sea Cliff, N.Y. , April 4, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. John King stated in a recent speech, "We aspire to a day when every child has the opportunity to be bilingual or multilingual."

That "day" has not yet arrived! Very few elementary schools in our country offer any kind of foreign language instruction. What can parents do who want their children to have the many advantages of early language instruction?

¡HOLA! Let's Learn Spanish  is for anyone who has a child roughly 6-10 in his or her life and would like to give that child the advantage of starting to learn Spanish at an early age. Even children younger than 6 can benefit.

The book can be used by parents (grandparents, etc.)with their children whether they know Spanish or not. Parents can go to the website http://www.polyglotkidz.com to download the free audio version so the children can learn the correct pronunciation.

Children love a story. The book captivates kids with an entertaining story that teaches Spanish, and introduces them to the culture of Mexico. There is a variety of activities which encourages them to use the Spanish that they learned, including a treasure hunt around the house,  skit, Culture Corner, song and directions for making a traditional Mexican mask.

¡HOLA!..introduces the child to learning Spanish. But parents shouldn't stop at the end of the book. They should ask their Boards of Education to introduce or bring back FLES programs. In order for the child to have a useful and employable skill, study should continue through the high school years and beyond.

Young children's brains are wired for learning languages. They learn languages effortlessly. They don't have the inhibitions and preoccupation with the opposite sex that older students have. They have more chances of having native-like pronunciation and becoming proficient in the language because they have more time to master the skills. Research shows that early language learning gives children cognitive thinking skills that carry over to other subjects and a better understanding of their own language.  If they continue learning the language, they will have a skill that makes them more employable, and better able to handle cultural differences. The benefits of language learning last a lifetime.

Most of our kids are at a disadvantage in the global world. Even though 75% of the world does not speak English, nation-wide, only 15% of American elementary schools offer any kind of foreign language instruction. This is down from 35% twenty years ago. It looks like, as life becomes more global, we're going backwards. FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) programs are frequently in danger of being eliminated.

Cuts have been made to early foreign language programs because of the economic turndown and the demands of Race to the Top and No Child Left Behind, which focuses on testing and a narrow curriculum.

Most students in the U.S. begin study of another language at age 12-14 if at all. This leaves little time for a student to become proficient.

The consequences of this situation cannot be overlooked. Our ability to compete in the global marketplace, to influence world-wide opinion, to solve international problems, to cooperate in research, and peace initiatives is in jeopardy.

Judy taught foreign  languages  in Bethpage, N.Y. Schools for over 30 years. Currently retired, she has devoted many years to public advocacy for the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers.

Judy's dream is to give America's children the opportunity to learn a foreign language at an early age.

¡HOLA! Let's Learn Spanish  Print version $14.50; Kindle $7.99  It is available on Amazon.com  at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=HOLA+let%27s+learn+Spanish.

The audio version of the book is free and can be downloaded at http://www.polyglotkidz.com. There is also a free downloadable game.

Review of book at http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2016/03/audrey-kratovil-reviews-perfect-spanish.html

CONTACT:            

Judy Martialay
516 609-2811
[email protected]