Quote:
Originally Posted by aklim
Lets forget the 2nd and 3rd language till you can get the 1st one down and that means spelling and reading. Till you have mastery of the first, don't talk about learning a 2nd or 3rd. Get the words pronounced right, make proper sentences with good grammar, etc, etc then we talk about you getting to learn a 2nd language.
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I don't think mastery needs to be the minimum threshold before taking on another language, a good working knowledge might be. I wouldn't say that I've mastered the English language (I
know, the hell you say!
). I do think I'm sufficiently proficient
to move onto another one, though.
I'm hardly bilingual, although I did take 6 years of Spanish between middle school and high school so I can generally read enough to figure out what's on paper. Understanding the spoken word is much more difficult for me. We have started teaching my 7yo S Spanish since he has a number of bilingual Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian friends and he has an interest in learning it. Since it's a requirement in our school system in post-elementary grades it will give him a good head start by the time he gets there. Besides it's a lot easier for young skulls to absorb.