The world is moving towards bilingualism; an ability of an individual to speak, read and write not one but two languages. With a competitive edge, bilingual education is becoming the talk of every town these which not only validates that the world has turned into a global village but also shows the colorful spectrum of individuals, societies and entire regions are transforming. The need for bilingual education is becoming more and more in demand to cope with this growing urge for regional and global cooperation.
As per world stats, 43% of the world’s population can speak two languages. Bilinguals are typically fluent in one language and either master another language simultaneously or later in life. A perfect example of today’s modern world is Singapore; where the government has successfully implemented a bilingual policy. The country has roughly five million inhabitants where the government aims to help its population to be proficient in British English and their mother languages (Mandarin, Malay or Tamil).
Bilingualism can make anyone stand out. It strikes the very core of human need—communication. And being able to communicate ideas and feelings with a significantly large pool of words, the task becomes creative and efficient. Here we list seven magnificent benefits of bilingual education.
1) Better Cognition:
Attention to detail and multi-tasking is what makes this
ability a super star. According to a scientific research, bilingual individuals
perform well in tasks requiring uninterrupted concentration. Since thinking and
executing two sets of languages require a better coordinating mind. This
subconscious ability enhances multi-tasking capability by analyzing
environments which determines their decision-making ability with efficiency and
accuracy. Bilingual people see themselves in several ways. Their ability tow
converse in two languages enables them to have a different and detail
description of themselves. They unconsciously apply the same winning
combination on their environment. A research on teens was conducted to analyze
the effects of bilingual education and it was found that it adds to the ability
of mind which deals with analyzing complex problems.
2) Edge In Academics:
According a study conducted on school going teens, bilingual teens have an edge
over others when it comes to academics. Improved cognitive nourishment over a
prolongperiod enables a young brain to think in multi-dimensional spectrum.
They grasp ideas quickly, analyze quickly and develop their life approaches
quickly by practically applying a wide range of creative problem-solving
techniques based on improved bilingual strength.Many educational institutions
around the world have made bilingual education as mandatory for its students in
order to pursue better professional careers.
3) Employment Opportunities
A general rule of thumb which applies to professional life today is that communication moves organizations. Being able to communicate in two languages increases one’s chances to outshine. Organizations prefer to hire people with multi-faceted talent pool among which bilingual is one. The argument does fit for almost all professions today but specially falls true for individual associated with tourism, hospitality, communication and journalism domain. Bilingualism enables a professional to move up the career ladder much faster than individuals relying on one language.
4) Health Plus:
A wise man once said, language gives a person another soul. Bilingual people see the world with a different lens. Bilingualism enables one’s conscious mind to interpret record, analyze and record life happenings in a unique manner. Since they think and imagine in two languages, the approach towards life also develops an entirely new personality; two souls in one body. This bilingual capability equips one with a higher sense of empathy and creativity which makes them evidently open-minded.
6) Bilingual Traveler:
Wandering around the world with no means to communicate
might not pose any challenge to a seasoned traveler. But the fact that knowing
languages of different places and cultures will not add to your travelling
experience cannot go unnoticed. Bilingualism adds to the experience of
exploring world, knowing cultures, making human to human connections. Immersion
in local culture and learning new language adds a flavor to an individual’s
experience of real world.
7) Bilingualism – A Gateway to Human Relations:
It connects. Bilingualism brings propel closer. The barrier of not being understood can be frustrating and maybe well prove to be an agent of energy drain. Communicating with people in their own language develops a sense of intimacy and ownership. Since language is one of the greatest blessings of humans to connect; imagine having two of those languages in your mind.
Bilingualism is not new to the world, but the benefits of speaking two or more languages are creating their impacts now. Now people understand that respecting and learning a foreign language not only help them in getting admission abroad in fact it helps them to excel in career.