A Second Language Expands Children’s Horizons
- Hilary Daninhirsch
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Although learning new skills is something everyone can strive to do at any age, scientific research shows that it is much easier to learn a second language at a young age. In fact, by the time a child reaches age 10, their ability to learn a new language declines significantly.
That is why many parents choose to enroll their very young children in language classes, even before they are formally offered in school.
About 75 children attend La Scuola D’Italia Galileo Galilei in Shadyside, a multilingual early learning center, daycare, and preschool that also offers after-school programs and summer camps for children ages 1-6. Executive Director Angela Hertz co-founded the school in 2014 with the mission of promoting and preserving Italian art, culture, history, and language through academic instruction and research.
Hertz said that most parents who send their children to La Scuola D’Italia love the concept of their child learning another language. Benefits of fluency in a second language are well known, from better scores in math and science to increased job opportunities in adulthood.
But it’s not just language that the kids are learning; they’re also gaining exposure to art, music, math, science, critical thinking skills, and cultural immersion.
To maintain their language skills, most children attend three to five days a week. “In one month, a child can become fluent in understanding and recognizing terminology in everyday life. Children need that constant practice,” Hertz said, adding that they are in the process of opening an elementary and middle school to continue language education. “Most of them will graduate and go to another school, and language is one of those things you have to maintain,” she said.
She also noted that while Italian is a key focus at the school, it is not the only language taught. Spanish-speaking staff also teach Spanish, and past instructors have introduced students to French, Mandarin, Arabic, and Farsi. Additionally, parents are invited to share their cultures and languages. “We appreciate everyone’s culture. We’ve had kids who speak Japanese at home, so they teach the other kids Japanese,” Hertz said. This aligns with her broader goal of fostering respect for diverse languages and encouraging children to embrace cultural differences.
Pittsburgh Spanish Place offers language classes for all ages. The organization, which also has branches in several Ohio and Indiana cities, recently moved from Aspinwall to a larger facility in Fox Chapel due to rapid growth over the past three years. Initially designed as an after-school enrichment program to supplement formal classroom learning, Pittsburgh Spanish Place now offers Saturday classes, private lessons, and a Spanish summer camp.
Director Gabriela Miller, a native Spanish speaker who learned English as a child, understands firsthand the value of fluency in a second language. “It gives you a sense of adaptability to know another language. You’re also learning about other countries and cultures—their foods, their music. I feel like it’s very beneficial for kids to have that openness to other cultures. It opens up a whole world,” she said.
Miller also emphasizes the importance of starting language learning at a young age. Classes are available for ages 3-4, 5-7, and 8-11. “We are a Spanish immersion school, so everything is taught in Spanish. Our main goal is to make the learning process fun and effective with activities, songs, and games. We expose them to the culture—teaching about different Spanish-speaking countries, as well as their foods, music, sports, and books,” she said.
Most parents who enroll their children in Pittsburgh Spanish Place do not speak Spanish themselves but want their children to broaden their horizons and develop fluency in a second language. Miller pointed out that Spanish is rapidly growing in the United States; projections indicate that by 2050, one in three people in the U.S. will speak Spanish.
To help students maintain their language skills, Miller suggests continued immersion through watching Spanish-language movies, reading books, listening to Spanish radio, and even ordering food in Spanish at restaurants.
Although it is a visual language, American Sign Language (ASL) is recognized as a language with its own grammar and rules of usage. While primarily used by the Deaf community, many hearing people—including children—are interested in learning ASL. As part of its summer camp offerings, Sewickley Academy will provide ASL instruction in two sessions for students in grades 1-4.
“Our program offers a unique way to use hands and bodies. Being able to do that through a language to communicate with friends, family, and the community is incredibly valuable. Having a well-rounded community of students is important to us,” said Delaney Kuchnicki, director of summer and after-school programs at Sewickley Academy.
At Sewickley Academy, language instruction begins at the pre-K level. “We strongly believe that starting young plants the roots early and allows students to build on and advance those skills as they grow up,” Kuchnicki said.
In the summer ASL camp session, children can expect a well-rounded experience that includes learning about Deaf culture. “Some activities we incorporate include finger spelling, letter recognition and practice, as well as learning basic emotions, survival skills, greetings, and communication skills they can readily use at school, home, and in the community. We also incorporate music, art, and other subjects,” said Kuchnicki.
“Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where students can connect with others. We are built on the foundation of community. ASL provides one more way to take a break from screens in the summer and a unique way to engage minds, hands, and bodies, which is a major focus at Sewickley Academy,” she added.
Students who sign up for summer camps do not have to be year-round students at Sewickley Academy.
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