It's best for children to start learning foreign language before middle school

children to learn a language. "One of the best reasons to startchildren young on a foreign language is because preschoolers alreadydo that all day long. They are used to strange sounds," says NancyRhodes, director of foreign language education for the Center forApplied Linguistics in Washington, D.C.

Middle school and high school are probably the worst time forlanguage training, she says, because at this age kids are more self-conscious, and it's very awkward for them to make strange sounds.

There is also some evidence that foreign language training helpschildren academically overall. One study of 1,000 fourth- to sixth-graders found that children studying a foreign language tested betterin English.

Language takes much more time than art or music. For a child tobecome fluent, the American Council on the Teaching of ForeignLanguage recommends elementary programs be three to five days a weekfor no less than 30 to 40 minutes a session. Middle school programsshould be five days a week for no less than 50 minutes.

If foreign languages aren't offered at your child's elementaryschool, it might be hard to find the time.

Look for opportunities, Rhodes suggests. If you have a nanny whosenative language isn't English, have her speak to the child in thatlanguage. The idea that this will confuse the child is outdated, shesays. "The baby-sitter will be giving them an incredible gift, and itwon't cost them anything."

Another option is to try to find a play group where your child canplay with children who speak another language, she says.

If you're sending your child to class outside of school, make sureit's enjoyable, Rhodes says. Otherwise the class can become a battle.

"To get a kid to make that kind of commitment is hard. But theteachers work to engage the kid, so it's not just like going toschool another day," says Mary McCright of Chicago, whose childrenattended the German Dank School.

If a parent's native language isn't English, Rhodes recommendsthey speak their strongest language at home. The child will pick thatup and get English everywhere else, Rhodes says.

Merry Mayer

Children's foreign language courses

German Dank School, 4740 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, (773) 561-9181.

What's offered: Children's classes for ages 3 to 14 from 9 a.m to12 p.m. Saturdays, September through mid-May. Classes for childrenages 9 months to 3 and parents.

Cost: $350 per year. Discount for fourth child from same family.

Good to know: Not just for Germans. Kids of all nationalitiesattend. Waiting list for kindergarten. Beginner's class for olderchildren who want to study German.

To register: Call the school weekday afternoons or register atwww.dank.org.

Hebrew Afternoon Schools, variety of locations.

What's offered: Classes generally follow the school year and meettwo to three times a week. Focus is less on conversational Hebrew andmore on reading and writing. Almost all have strong religiouscomponent.

Cost: Varies by school.

Good to know: Many schools include more conversational languagetraining. At some, parents and children attend together.

To register: Call the Community Foundation for Jewish Education,(312) 913-1818 x315.

Polish Saturday School, variety of locations, many at Catholicelementary schools.

What's offered: Classes are generally on Saturday for three tofour hours and run September through mid-May. Sometimes the childrenattend religious services.

Cost: Most schools charge about $250 a year for one child, with adiscount for each additional child from same family.

Good to know: Very much geared for children from homes wherePolish is spoken.

To register: A list of the schools is at www.polskiinternet.com/english/info/szkolysobotnie.html

Language and Music School of Oak Park, 150 N. Oak Park Ave., OakPark, (708) 524-LALA.

What's offered: Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese,Russian and Spanish classes. Call for additional languages). Theschool offers private and group lessons from 18 months and up andSpanish preschool.

Cost: $15 a student for a group class (six students in class); $23for private class; or $25 for combined language and music class.

Good to know: They integrate music into most language classes, butalso offer instrument lessons in a language of your choosing (violinand Spanish, flute and German), teaching both at same time. Parentsare encouraged to record classes and play the tape at home.

To register: Call or go to www.lmschool.com.

Star Language School, eight locations: Arlington Heights,Barrington, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Lincoln Park, Naperville,Wilmette. A Flossmoor school will open soon, (312) 587-8820.

What's offered: French, German, Italian and Spanish classes forchildren ages 2 to 10. Also offers full immersion summer camps.

Cost: Can take classes up to five days a week; for 90 minutes aweek, it's $112 a month.

Good to know: Kids are divided by age, not skill level. Classesfocus on learning the language through fun activities geared to eachage group. Will accept children without language training up to 8years old.

To register: Call or go to www.lan guagestars.com

Italian Cultural Center, 10 locations: Addison, Elmwood Park,Glenview, Harwood Heights, Lemont, Mt. Prospect, Schaumburg, SchillerPark, Stone Park and Vernon Hills, (708) 345-3842.

What's offered: Classes for children ages 4 to 13 on Fridays andSaturdays from September through May.

Cost: $180 for 30-week course. Discounts for additional childrenfrom same family.

Good to know: Not just for Italians. Only 40 percent of studentshave Italian-speaking parents.

To register: Call for more information.