Benefits of Being Bilingual
Cognitive benefits
Research indicates that being bilingual actually makes people more creative and better at solving complex problems. Bilingual children also demonstrate improved executive functioning, or the ability to consciously direct their activities, which is highly correlated to school and life success!
Academic Benefits
Research shows that when young children learn a new language it benefits them later in their education. These students have increased competency in their second language compared to children who do not received language instruction in early childhood. Students who are fluent in two languages perform better academically than their monolingual peers.
Social-Emotional Benefits
Bilingual children have broader level of understanding of other perspectives. Cultural awareness and appreciation prepare them to understand how to work within a diverse work force. For heritage speakers, learning one’s heritage language fosters a sense of self-concept and pride.
Research indicates that being bilingual actually makes people more creative and better at solving complex problems. Bilingual children also demonstrate improved executive functioning, or the ability to consciously direct their activities, which is highly correlated to school and life success!
Academic Benefits
Research shows that when young children learn a new language it benefits them later in their education. These students have increased competency in their second language compared to children who do not received language instruction in early childhood. Students who are fluent in two languages perform better academically than their monolingual peers.
Social-Emotional Benefits
Bilingual children have broader level of understanding of other perspectives. Cultural awareness and appreciation prepare them to understand how to work within a diverse work force. For heritage speakers, learning one’s heritage language fosters a sense of self-concept and pride.