Language instruction is a special kind of children's activity because the benefits extend far beyond the obvious results. Knowing a second (or third!) language is becoming vitally important in today's increasingly global economy and culture. Beyond the obvious practical benefits, though, learning a language at an early age has been shown to have a secondary cognitive benefit. Learning a second language is like exercise for the mind, and kids who do so tend to do better in other subjects, including math and English, and even score higher on standardized tests.