The British Council recommends that primary education in Pakistan should be imparted in local languages. But we don’t have a unified education system in Pakistan.

We have different types of schools like English medium, Urdu medium, A level and O level, religious, non-religious, private, public etc.

High society does not send its children to institutions where education is imparted in local languages. Only lower middle class and lower class have no other option but to send their children to such government schools. The majority of the children will be deprived of learning English at an early stage.

The best age to learn a second language is really from birth, for children's minds are like sponges, soaking up everything as easily as if it were naturally in them to do so.

In fact, children learn things naturally, like language, faster and easier than do adults.

Being familiar with other languages at an early age increases the comfort and interest in other cultures and peoples.

Knowing another language can build self-esteem in children. Some children find themselves feeling more confident when they can communicate in another language.

Children who learn a second language can be more creative. And they tend to understand complex concepts very well.

Another benefit to note is that being bi-lingual may help your children in a better way with future job opportunities.

The world is like a global village and our students are exposed to the international media. As the language of foreign media is English, we should not deprive our coming generation of this. Besides, the standard of English in Pakistan is already low and we should not aggravate it.

RAHAT SHAH Charsadda