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"Children raised in a home where two languages are spoken grow up fluent in both and don't have an accent. Adults, on the other hand, often struggle to pick up a second language, and even when they succeed, they don't sound like native speakers. "This observation was made in a special National Geographic publication, "Your Brain: A User's Guide". It continued....

"The difference lies in the greater plasticity of a child's brain. Young children recognize a greater range of language sounds than adults. They pick up vocabulary and syntax more easily. And, they process languages more efficiently, activating smaller regions of the brain than do adult learners.

"Although the brain is particularly sensitive to learning languages at a young age, it's never too late to benefit from the mental gymnastics of wrestling with a new tongue. Adding a second language improves cognitive skills and memory, as well as exposes learners to new ideas."

Ellen Galinsky provides research-based advice for parents and teachers on how to raise their children to be well rounded and achieve their full potential — learning to take on life’s challenges, communicating well with others, and remaining committed to learning.

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