Numerous studies have been conducted on various benefits of bilingualism in multiple difference areas like cognitive, social- emotional, learning or global advantages. Regardless, there are multiple different reasons for an adolescent to learn a second language. Whether obligated when moving to a new county attending a school where it is a requirement, being enrolled in a class to satisfy a language credit, or simply for their own personal desire, when children are exposed to a second language in early formal education there are proven benefits; such as understanding other cultures in the classroom and the workplace, enhanced cognitive and learning development, and emotional bonds. In the 21st century where information can be shared with …show more content…
It seems as though people, including employers, are starting to realize that bilingualism is a necessity. “Research from Rosetta Stone found that people who speak at least one foreign language have an average annual household income that’s $10,000 higher than the household income of those who only speak English. And bout 17 percent of those who speak at least one foreign language earn more than $100,000 a year… A recent survey from Los Angeles-based recruiter Korn/Ferry International found that nearly 9 out of 10 headhunters in Europe, Latin, America, and Asia say that being at least bilingual is critical for success in today’s business environment. And 66 percent of North American recruiters agreed that being bilingual will be increasingly important in the next 10 years.” (Andruss, 2008). If exposed to different cultures and languages at an early age, children can gain an understanding of their peers. When working in any group setting, the biggest challenge can sometimes be a lack of understanding and acceptance among group members. Martha G. Abbott, the Director of Education of the American Council on the Teach of Foreign Language (ACTFL), claims, “Knowing other languages and understanding other cultures is a 21st Century skill set for American students as they prepare
With successive bilingualism a child has the advantage of their first language as a base. They use this to both analyze and develop the second. For example, the child knows that language is organized in a particular order. The more mature a child is they also have a better vocabulary base, acoustic perception, and comprehension. Therefore they would make fewer errors in a second language.
In a globalized world, English is and has been universal language for communications around the world. For that reason, U.S. has never had an urgency to learn and appreciate foreign languages. Most of school systems treat language classes not important as the core curriculum. According to the current positions on bilingual education, schools in the United States teach languages at exactly the wrong time and exclude children from all the benefits that extend beyond pure communication. It’s extremely important to be bilingually educated to adapt into increasingly globalized world. Moreover, even necessary, for those who should reach out and speak at least one other language. Being bilingual comes with various advantages and immeasurable benefits.
In my opinion bilingualism plays a major role in the educational development of children. This is because research has shown that children who are fluent in their home language are more successful in learning a second language. Furthermore, being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and better ear for listening. It also improves a child’s understanding for the native language. Moreover, knowledge of other languages increases a career of opportunities offering several job options.
Currently, most high schools require students to take foreign language courses, yet many elementary schools lack this feature. Brisk, Boston College Education professor, believes, “Bilingual teachers bring added knowledge and teaching and managing strategies that help increasingly multicultural schools”. While over ten percent of the total adolescent education system are emergent bilinguals, the importance of educating ____________ (Bale). Yet, sixty percent are educated in English only. There should be a lack of segregation and poverty. Many educational benefits
This study is important as it extremely relevant in the globalized society that we live in today, in addition to the fact that it offers further evidence on the tangible benefits of raising a child to be bilingual that come later in his or her life. Even if the study does not show a clear and convincing correlation between raising a child to be bilingual and higher academic performance in college, I believe that my study will encourage people to think more about the potential benefits of raising a child to be
Being bilingual comes along with many benefits and some of those are receiving higher test scores and also being able to converse
Linguists may support beginning instruction in a second language in elementary school rather than high school because childhood is a critical stage for development of language, this means that is easier to learn a second language during ages three and ten because a person is developing fluency and pronunciation in any particular language. If a person is older is going to be more difficult to have a good structure of a particular language and is not anymore an important period for language acquisition, also a person maybe is not going to have the fluency and pronunciation to sound like a native language. Although it is adequate to do it in the proper stage, the benefits of being bilingual never stops and can give a variety of opportunities in
The need for bilingual education is not directly related to the need for the student to have a more pleasant learning experience, but based more on the increasing need for these individuals to learn about their heritage, how they can present themselves to others in different scenarios, and being knowledgeable in both languages at a dual equivalence. The key
According to a study conducted in 2008 by Ingrid Pufahl and Nancy C. Rhodes, from the Center for Applied Linguistics, the number of elementary and middle schools in America teaching a foreign language has decreased since 1997. As of 2008, only 25% of elementary schools taught foreign languages, and only 58% of middle schools taught foreign languages as well (261, 262). Despite studies saying that learning a second language when younger is easier, according to the article, “List of Pros and Cons of Bilingual Education”, less than half of elementary schools offer a foreign language, due to claims that language programs are expensive, and lack qualified teachers. However, there are many benefits of learning a second language, making knowledge of a foreign language worthwhile.
Throughout the years, time has showed us that being bilingual has gain importance and is consider to be more of a necessity now. A brain that understands more than one language is more alert than one who knows just one language. Being bilingual has many benefits. A couple advantages of being bilingual would be greater job opportunities, comfortable traveling and higher test scores.
This paper will touch upon the positive benefits of bilingualism and how it affects children, during their childhood and well into adulthood. In addition this paper will look into the scientific and general advantages of bilingualism through scientific studies on the subject. This paper will also identify some of the pros and cons of growing up bilingual. Specifically to be cognitive flexibility, metalinguistic awareness, communicative sensitivity, attentiveness and combatting dementia. A new research era began into bilingualism after the research of Peal and Lambert in 1962, this was a break through in research, which proved that kids who were bilingual did better at the tasks than those who were monolingual. Prior to this, bilingualism had been thought to cause negative set backs among children. These setbacks include retardation in children and increased confusion in separating both languages at an early stage. Although this theory has been outdated, bilingualism is still known to cause confusion for a short period of time throughout childhood lifespan. Although bilingualism has its pros and cons, there are more pros than cons. Kids who grow up in a bilingual household are known to experience some confusion separating two languages or infants are known to go through a silent stage. In simple tasks as the “Simon task”, bilingual participants are known to perform better and have faster reaction times. Simon tasks test the individual’s attentive control as well as reaction
Language is an important part of our lives. I remember when I arrived to USA I could speak a little English. I went to school to improve my language, reading and writing skills; even now I am learning my second language, without English I cannot survive in this new environment. Now I am raising my own kids and I want them to have this important skill, this privilege of knowing a second language, language of their parents and grandparents. By looking at studies of bilingual children, research shows how important it is for a child to learn a second language. Raising a bilingual child is a benefit because it improves social skills, academic proficiency, introduces child to a different culture, and prepares for the future.
Countries around the world have become increasingly globalized with the majority requiring children to begin learning a foreign language through second language acquisition programs. These children are becoming more aware of other cultures and are exposed to understanding the importance of increasing connections with other cultures. Children that are bilingual or multilingual are essentially prepared to enter a competitive workforce in an increasingly globalized world. Additionally, the psychological aspect of learning a second language is advantageous and beneficial for the young developing mind. On the other hand, America doesn’t require children to learn a second language and the majority are monolingual. Only in high school are the majority
Language is one of the most beautiful techniques that humans have developed. Language allows us to communicate among each other; we can share and understand our and others’ feelings, opinions, and ideas. Because humans are imperfect, we have made language difficult because we have created multiple languages. With lots of language around the world, it is difficult to share, understand, and connect each other feelings, opinions, and ideas. Bilingual students can break this barrier with their culture and schools. Bilingualism breaks the language barrier and opens more opportunities, different views, and better relationship. The world needs to encourage students to learn more languages to give the students become open-minded for the better
Bilinguals are often praised by employers for their multi-language skills. With the push for children and adults to become bilingual there is an increase of teaching all around the world. While many are raised bilingual there are still some places that lack in the teachings. The advocators for bilingualism show that the teaching is truly worth it because of all of the benefits in becoming bilingual. While it is clear that there are benefits in regards to communication skills those are not the only benefit that can come from a bilingual education. When using the word bilingualism, people primarily think of language, whether it be basic vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, or communication in general. Not only does bilingualism help for communication, and understanding, but it also helps exercise the brain and improve mental skills. Bilingual learners experience many mental benefits over their lifetimes which are not present in their monolingual counterparts. These benefits range from executive control functions, task dominance, and the offset of Alzheimer’s. However, like everything there are a few down sides to a being bilingual while they rarely affect young learners. Nonetheless, bilingualism can help improve brain capacity and skill just by learning another language. The skills gained in bilingualism are pertinent for everyday life and can help improve achievement in daily life, relative to monolinguals.