In today’s multilingual world, one would really benefit from the knowledge of more than one language. There are advantages in knowing two or even more languages economically and socially. The issue is finding the most efficient way to learn a new language. Have you ever tried to acquire a language that is not spoken at your home? Have you taken foreign language classes in school? What results did those classes produce? Can you still understand and speak that language that you learned in school? After several years after taking foreign language classes, most people cannot communicate in that language with native speakers. Some of them remember bits and pieces but they are not fluent in that language. They spend time learning, memorizing, doing exercises, but in the end was it worth it? Wouldn’t they be better off doing something else during the time that was basically wasted into learning something that will not stay with them and would not be useful for their life?

If knowing more than one language is important and useful in life, then how can one learn it efficiently, so it would permeate their brain and they would be able to communicate in that language with others. The world offers many ways to learn a language. When parents want their child to be multilingual, how are they to choose the option that would efficiently help the child to become a multilingual and multiliterate world citizen? These concerned parents should look into the different pathways and choose wisely because the future of their child depends on their decision.

When people want to learn something it is better for them to surround themselves with that what they want to know better and be attain proficiency in that area. The same principle applies to learning a language; the person needs to be around that language, so the brain will get used to it, and the language will be something natural, not drilled and hammered into the brain and soon forgotten. The brain needs to be in an atmosphere where the language is promoted and spoken. Such a method is called language immersion education. There are different names and subgroups of this type but what is basically is is when children are educated in two languages at the same time. They are not just taking a foreign language class, they are taught other subject matter half and half in two languages. Thus language immersion education is an effective way to become multilingual and multiliterate in this global community.