It is highly recommended by several specialists that children should be encouraged to access a foreign language besides their mother tongue in preliminary education. In my viewpoint, this method of education has its advantages outweighing its downsides.
In terms of benefits, an early start of learning foreign languages will give children an advantage when they are compared to their peers who are exposed to new languages later in life. It is undeniable that kids have an innate ability to learn new things more quickly than adults. Therefore, if children are offered opportunities to learn second languages, they are more likely to become proficient and master that language. This means they will get closer to their goals or in other words, stand higher chances of success as languages are of paramount importance to our life. Moreover, primary students are known to have plenty of free time, which enables them to invest time in acquiring a foreign language.
However, everything has its pros and cons. Some disadvantages are often overlooked when it comes to learning a second language at an early age. Excessive exposure to a new language may leave primary students little or even no time for cultivating and enriching their native language. And an imbalance and a disconnection with their mother tongue will occur as a result. Another worth-mentioning downside of this educational strategy is that children at the primary stage are more prone to mental issues such as depression, burnout, high level of stress if they are pushed to learn all day long.
To summarise, I am totally in favour of the opinion that primary children should get exposed to a foreign language at an early age. Nevertheless, they mustn't be made to learn excessively because they also need time for relaxation as well as playful, entertaining activities, for the sake of their overall well-being.