Foreign Language: The Value of a Bilingual Education (Anneli Harvey) The Intentional Parent
Episode 4
Episode Synopsis
Today on The Intentional Parent Greg and Tina welcome guest Anneli Harvey who is an educational consultant specializing in foreign language programs. The group explore the importance and benefits of learning another language at a young age. Anneli provides insight into the kind of programs that are out there and how the learning and cognitive process is enhanced from engaging the brain through learning another language from early childhood. Several video clips are reviewed along with some useful online resources for bilingual education.
Guest Bio
Anneli Harvey Is a senior educational consultant working at national level in the UK, shaping policy. She is an expert in pedagogical theory and practice with an emphasis on teaching and learning styles and is an inspiring public speaker and skilled course presenter.
Episode Breakdown
00:00-2:00 Introduction
02:00 weekly recap, Tina’s book release/signings
07:00 Introduce Anneli Harvey- Topic of Language and The Bilingual Brain
7:00 VIDEO 1: Obama talking about speaking a second language vs just English
8:30 VIDEO 2: Fox news response to Obama clip
10:00 Group discusses why American’s are resistant/fearful to focus on learning other languages. Anneli gives insight on French Canadian system/immersion programs
14:15 Greg: My son is in a French program and a lot of people ask me why French?
14:30 Anneli: French is the 3rd most important business language 1. English 2. Mandarin 3. French
15:30 Tina: Research shows the best way to learn as an adult is to learn from someone you are in love with (anneli- you don’t have to be young, you can do it at any point)
16:45 Greg: Research on cognitive development, how brain is wired to function
17:15 Tina: If you can start a language by a certain age, what is the ideal age for that? Anneli: the earlier the better, 6-9 months even)
18:45 Greg: Does language correlate with higher academics?
23:30 VIDEO 3 year old speaking French/English/Spanish
25:30 discussion of video
26:30 Greg: How long does it take for them to start using it?
28:00 Greg: Is it possible to fall behind in English wile in these programs for another language?
29:15 Tina: Sign Language example, research shows that the kids are more sophisticated with verbal output by age of 3 when exposed to learning sign language and other languages
30:00 Anneli: Anything that engages the brain is good
31:30 Greg VIDEO 4 Speaking in Tongues, children in Mandarin language school
33:00 Greg: I was afraid to put my kid in a school for Mandarin but the video shows a diverse group of children effortlessly speaking the language together
34:30 Tina: If kids aren’t able to enroll in a bilingual school and if parents aren’t able to provide true immersion, is a class once a week good? Anneli: Even a little infrequently is good, it is never too late
36:00 Resources online for language and learning (Languagenut.com, BBC Languages, Study Blue)
52:00 WRAP UP
Additional Links
Dr. Tina Bryson’s website and book:
Videos from the web segment:
Kindergartners sing in Mandarin
bilingual ed. total immersion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juz3bQyMqBw
When a baby learns two languages at the same time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ns0gZBRjM
The importance of being bilingual J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfH3BtWR-tA&feature=related
Two year old communications in 3 languages
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbvmgOEivI&feature=related
Other resources:
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Hosted By
Dr. Tina Bryson
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is a lecturer, a parenting consultant, and a therapist at pediatric & adolescent psychology associates. She speaks to groups all across the country and writes for numerous venues, most recently the pbs series “this emotional life.” her book, co-authored with dr. Dan Siegel, is called the whole-brain child: 12 revolutionary strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind. She’s a mom to three school-aged boys.
Greg Matuskiewicz
Greg is a former Microsoft executive and father of a five year old boy. He is a three time Iron man ® triathlete, master gardener and activist parent. Greg enjoys marathon running, surfing and spending time with his wife, Peggi and their son Lincoln.
