Nowadays many parents send their children to language schools at a very early age. This is something that has been trending for quite some time now and it’s something that’s growing progressively popular. The reason for this can be found in all the benefits of being bilingual, some of which are improved academic success, better communication skills and higher chances of getting a better job somewhere down the road. People choose different languages for their children, usually depending on their location, countries which do most business with their homeland, but also personal preferences. When it comes to Australian children, their parents are showing increased interest in Indonesian and want their children to be able to learn it at school. But, why is Indonesian so important to them? Here are some answers to this question.

Geographical proximity

When it comes to learning foreign languages, the two most popular languages in British schools are Spanish and French. This doesn’t sound surprising considering that France is Britain’s closest neighbor and that Spain is the first choice for most British tourists. So, it also makes perfect sense that Australians want their children to learn Indonesian at schools. With only about 120 km between the two countries, it’s quite logical that the countries have strong business connections. They have even signed a free trade deal, which makes it easier for Australians to export goods like cotton, aluminum or livestock to Indonesia, and for Indonesia to sell its gold, iron and steel to Australia. Plus, the tourism between the countries is blooming, with both having a lot to offer to visitors. Moreover, with countries being so close, one can expect that a certain number of seasonal workers moves from one country to another from time to time. In any of these cases, knowing a language can prove to be extremely useful, and the sooner a child starts learning a new language, the better and faster they will conquer the knowledge presented to them.

Education

Many students decide to take their studies abroad. There are several reasons for this, and the desire to see the world and switch from your current location to a new, interesting and challenging one is just one of them. Another reason is the fact that there are grants and scholarships for Australian students who want to study in Indonesia, given by both Australian and the Indonesian governments. Add to this various internship programs, a wide range of work opportunities and tuition fees much lower than those in Australia and you’ll get a whole bunch of Australian parents preparing their children to study in Indonesia one day. This is why it’s essential to start learning the language early. Plus, it gives you enough time to deal with any difficulties your child might have while learning Indonesian or any other foreign language. If you notice your child is struggling with it, perhaps you can start with improving their language skills in their mother tongue. By investing in quality and professional English tutoring, you’re investing in your child’s future, since better insight into one’s own language can make it much easier to learn a foreign one.

Cultural awareness

Another benefit of learning a foreign language is that it leads to a better understanding of other cultures. This may have been less significant in the past, but things have now changed for the better. One reason for this is the fact that the world market is always looking for experts in different fields. Those experts are millennials and even the young people belonging to Generation Z, who won’t limit themselves to only looking for work close to home. They will gladly roam around, try different jobs in different places and move to another country without hesitation. Hence, it’s normal to anticipate that the children starting school now will be even more open to the possibility of living and working abroad. Again, due to the small distance between Australia and Asia, and especially Indonesia, moving from one country to the other for a better job isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Being familiar with the culture of the country you’re moving to, along with its language, means that you know what you can expect from your life there and that you’ll adjust faster and more easily to the new surroundings and new people, which is something any employer will value. And if you prepare your child for this while they’re still young, you’ll probably open many doors for them once they become their own people.

Your child may perceive learning Indonesian as either an interesting and fun school activity, or perhaps even as a nuisance. However, as an adult, you’re the one who should be aware of every little benefit that learning this precise language can have on your child and how crucial it is that they start as early as possible.