Knowing more than one language is more important today than ever before. Whether it’s English, Spanish, Korean, or one of the other 6,000 languages of the world, parents are increasingly drawn to the lifelong academic, social, cultural and intellectual advantages that come with learning an additional language. Millions of dollars are spent each year on classes and programs, as well as CDs, DVDs, software programs and educational bilingual toys that promise to help children become bilingual. Yet many of these promises end in disappointment – in part because these products and programs are not based on scientific evidence about how children learn languages.

In The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language (Collins 2007), Georgetown University professors Kendall King and Alison Mackey advocate second language learning and walk parents through the various considerations when thinking about adding foreign language skills to their children's repertoires. The authors address all parents who would like their children to know more than one language, including parents who have second or third languages they wish to teach their children and those who only speak English. King and Mackey, both parents teaching their children more than one language, show other parents how they too can introduce second languages to their children.

“Being bilingual or even trilingual gives an individual the ability not only to understand other cultures, but also to participate more actively in these international endeavors,” write King and Mackey. “Knowing a second language has personal and familial benefits as well. It enhances creativity and academic success, it makes connections between generations stronger, and it allows an individual to connect with more of the world. It is a ‘boundary eraser’ in all senses of the word.”

The authors address common myths about second language learning, and provide clear insights in to what actually works, helping parents make sound decisions. “The Bilingual Edge is an easy-to-use treasure trove of information for all parents who want to do the right thing for their children,” says Deborah Tannen, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of You Just Don’t Understand.

Broken in to four sections, the book navigates the why, when and which languages, as well as the, how, and what ifs of second language learning. Throughout, the book rapidly highlights relevant research and includes anecdotes, quick tips, and worksheets to guide parents step-by-step in the decision making process. In addition, an extensive resource list for continued learning is provided.

Between them, King and Mackey have authored nearly a hundred research articles and books on bilingualism and language teaching methods.