Language Center Coming soon to Southern Boone County

I've always been awed by the phrase written in Khalil Gibran little book The Prophet, "Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life longing for itself". And yes, I immediately want to say, "My son is mine!" But then I'll remember he'll grow older, mature, love and be loved. He'll want to travel far and discover the world. I'll be reminded by Gibran that he came, "through me but not from me". I'll remember he'll have his own thoughts, his own path and that the best gift I may give him as a mother is the gift of knowledge. Every tool that I may provide to expand his humanity is the biggest gift. Around the World Foreign Language Center is my gift to him and to all those other parents that want to expand their own children's humanity.

My name is Natalia Prats-Owens. I'm a native Puerto Rican married to a wonderful Missourian. Our family's path has taken us back to my husband home state, MO. I have been a High School History teacher for the past eight years and part time English teacher for preschoolers for the past two years. I'm passionate about education and now my mission in life is to make sure that my son grows up to be as bilingual as his parents.

I've been saddened by the fact that many of my friends and family that moved to the states did not teach their children their own native language. In my case as Puerto Rican, it is spanish. There's many factors that contribute to this. It's understandably hard to continue speaking spanish when you're surrounded by a different language. But inevitably, it takes a conscious effort from the parents, from us to make sure that they immerse themselves in a bilingual world. There are countries in Europe where children are immersed in a foreign language since preschool. During the younger years is when our brain is most receptive to learning a new languages.

The more languages our children speak the more cultural sensitivity they will have. It will most probably help increase their self esteem and improve interpersonal skills. Studies have consistently shown that bilingual individuals have a denser gray matter in particular areas of the brain that deal with memory, language and attention. It is undeniable that they will have more opportunities in the work place and in many cases even earn more money. Research shows that bilingualism requires higher brain functions. It has even showed, among studies done by researchers in York University, that bilingual Alzheimer patients were diagnosed later than monolingual Alzheimer patients.

It all seems to point to the great advantages that being bilingual provides an individual. If my husband and I wouldn't have been bilingual it would have been very difficult for us to share our world view and probably would not have been able to fall in love. Adrian wouldn't have been born and who knows where our paths would have taken us.

Languages are a road to opportunities. Like my favorite singer songwriter has said best, "Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar!" Let's help our children make their own path, with love and LANGUAGES!!

We will soon be announcing the location for Around the World Foreign Language Center. It will be near the Southern Boone County area around Ashland and Hartsburg. If you have any comments feel free to email me or leave a comment below. Start getting your children ready because we'll be opening a great new world with them!!