BENEFITS OF BEING BILINGUAL
Learning a second language at an early age …..
• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth
• Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development
• Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking reater sensitivity to language, and a betterand a better ear for listening
• Improves a child’s understanding of his or her native language
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have a chance to know.
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college
• Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
(Reprinted with permission from Center of Applied Linguistics fo further reading please visit)
http://www.cal.org/earlylang/benefits/benefits_of_being_bilingual.html
Taking advantage of childhood to encourage children to learn additional languages has many benefits. As our world community grows smaller and smaller, children who are fluent in more than one language may encounter far fewer communication barriers. Learning a second language may also improve a child’s understanding of their native language. In addition to enhancing problem solving skills and creativity, many psychologists also feel that learning additional languages early in life may assist in “sharper thinking” and greater critical thinking skills. Bilingual children consistently perform higher on standardized testing such as the SAT. Scientists have also discovered that learning multiple languages physically changes the brain. Areas in the left side of the brain, which are affected greatly by language, appear to be denser in individuals who speak more than one language. One report shows that the increase in density appears to be directly affected by the age at which individuals begin learning a second language. Those who began learning at earlier ages showed the greatest increase in density.
Don’t worry if you only speak one language. There are many ways to assist your child in taking advantage of the window of opportunity that is childhood. If there are bilingual parents or care providers active in the child’s life, have those individuals speak to the child in their language if not exclusively, as much as possible.
Additionally, multimedia programs designed for the way that children absorb language in context are also useful tools in introducing children to a second language. Whatever method you choose to introduce a new language, focusing on keeping language learning fun is the best way to continue that lifelong love of learning that all parents wish for their children.
A recent article in the Des Moines Register points to NNELL (National Network for Early Language Learning) research which indicates the following:
Children who speak other languages have a keener awareness and perception of language in general, enhanced communication skills, a better understanding of their native language, a larger vocabulary and better listening and problem-solving skills. The NNELL says children in effective early second language programs also show overall gains on standardized tests of basic skills later in life.
Children who study a foreign language early in life enjoy several benefits:
• Cognitive benefits
• Social benefits: Increased ability to live in a multi-cultural world.
• Social dimension of knowing several languages
• Near fluency in the foreign language
• Easier time learning languages in school
• Greater ability in the first language
• Increased self-confidence
• Higher grades in all subjects
• Higher standardized test scores
• Skills needed to succeed in a global marketplace
In short, bilingual children are more social, brighter and test better than their monolingual counterparts. Need any more reasons? Please click here to find a program right for your child. Open-minded to other cultures
• Actively seeks multicultural friendships
• Possesses stronger problem-solving skills
• Has enhanced cognitive development
• Expresses greater creativity: thinks outside the box
• Second language is maternal, not "learned"
• Easily learns a third and fourth language
• Embraces differencesin people
Although many parents believe that bilingualism results in language delay, research suggests that monolingual and bilingual children meet major language developmental milestones at similar times.
Despite many parents' fear that using two languages will result in confusion for their children, there is no research evidence to support this. On the contrary, use of two languages in the same conversation has been found to be a sign of mastery of both languages.
Many parents rely heavily on television to teach the second language; yet this is best considered a fun source of secondary support for language learning. Human interaction is the best method for fostering
language learning.
Contrary to the widespread notion among parents that bilingualism results in "bigger, better brains," parents more realistically can expect their bilingual children to gain specific advantages in targeted areas, such as greater understanding of language as an abstract system.
This excerpt was taken from 2006 Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research
Kendall King and Lyn Fogle, Georgetown University
Benefits of enhancing current exposure of a target language. see section marked in gray in bottom relates to this- cite te research and combine????
Research indicates that regular exposure to 90 minutes or more per week of language immersion over the years is the benchmark that can lead to true fluency and accent.
Children already being exposed or about to be exposed to a target language through various other sources such as home, pre-school or school environment will benefit from an enhanced student-centered interactive curriculum by participating in an age specific program.
For the smaller children not attending a pre-school environment, Mis Amigos Languages offers a multitude of benefits in addition to exposure to the target vocabulary by means of lessons which incorporate music and art. Older children of any age will enhance their knowledge base, language and application skills by participating in interactive activities.
RECOMMENDED READING
What’s Going On In There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life, Lise Eliot, PhD, Bantam Books: New York, 1999.
Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth through Adolescence, by Marian Diamond, PhD and Janet Hopson, Penguin: New York, 1999.
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn -- and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less, by Kathy Hirsch-Pacek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Rodale Books: Emmaus, PA, 2003.
Building a More Resiliant Brain (Wall Street Journal)
Learning a Second Language: Exposing Your Child to a New World of Words Boosts Her Brainpower, Vocabulary, and Self-Esteem (PDF)
Foreign Learning as a Strategy for Closing the Achievement Gap (PDF)
Why Your Child Should Study Foreign Languages (PDF)
Learning a Foreign Language (PDF)
Being Bilingual Boosts Brain Power
Early Learning Library Insightful Articles on Language Learning
How Babies Decode Faces
Learning Language & Becoming Multilingual
How Young Children Learn Language
The benefits of early language learning http://www.cal.org/resources/archive/rgos/benes.html
Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research
Kendall King and Lyn Fogle, Georgetown University
Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language http://www.discoverlanguages.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4724
Benefits of being bilingual; http://www.cal.org/earlylang/benefits/benefits_of_being_bilingual.html For more information on this topic, see the Center for Applied Linguistic (CAL) article, Benefits of Being Bilingual.
LINKS TO OTHER SITES
• Ñandutí is an excellent resource on foreign language learning in grades K–8. Major topics covered at this site include Frequently Asked Questions, Foreign Language Standards, Resources for early language learning, Model Programs, and Teacher Development.
• National Network for Early Language Learning. NNELL is dedicated to promoting foreign language instruction for all students, kindergarten through 8th grade, and to supporting educators who teach those students.
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. ACTFL supports foreign language teaching and learning through numerous professional activities, including a yearly conference, programs for language professionals, workshops, a Certified Testing Program for language proficiency testing.
• Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition .http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/FAQs.html
