At what age should children start learning a foreign language?

I think children can start learning a foreign language quite early, maybe around four or five, as long as it is introduced in a playful way. At that age, they are very good at picking up sounds and patterns, but I don’t think they should be forced to memorize grammar rules or sit exams. Songs, stories, games, and simple conversations are probably much more effective because they make the language feel natural rather than like a school subject. If I had to choose between speaking and writing, I would say speaking is more important at the beginning because language is mainly a tool for communication. When children can express themselves, even with mistakes, they gain confidence and motivation. Writing is also important, of course, especially for academic and professional purposes, but it can come later once they have a basic feel for the language. Even if someone is good at English, I still think learning another language is worthwhile. English is very useful internationally, but another language can help people understand a different culture more deeply and communicate with people in a more personal way. As for minority languages, I’m afraid some of them may disappear, especially if younger generations stop using them in daily life. However, with community support, bilingual education, and digital resources, some minority languages can still be preserved and even revived.