Children with two languages excel at school

Children who are brought up speaking two or more languages outperform their peers in English and maths by the age of seven, research has found.

Data on 19,000 British children in the Millennium Cohort Study found that those who spoke more than one language at home lagged behind at school at ages three, four and five. However, they then powered ahead, leaving behind those who spoke only English.

The findings suggest that teachers and the government should encourage parents to use their native tongue at home. The research was conducted by Anita Staneva at the University of Sydney and will be presented today at the annual conference of the Royal Economics Society in Bristol.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/children-with-two-languages-excel-at-school-sc8ftfsk8

See also: English Plus Sports and Activities Summer Courses

Malala Yousafzai made youngest UN Messenger of Peace

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has been made the youngest ever UN Messenger of Peace.

The 19-year-old, who is doing her A-levels and has offers from a top UK universities, will take the role with a special focus on girls' education.

In 2012 Ms Yousafzai was nearly killed by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' rights to education.

Accepting the accolade in New York, she said: "(Bringing change) starts with us and it should start now."

"If you want to see your future bright, you have to start working now (and) not wait for anyone else," he said.

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres described her as a "symbol of perhaps the most important thing in the world - education for all".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39562122

See Also: The A Level Curriculum