The effects of Being bilingual

What is the meaning of the term "Bilingual"

The blanket term for Bilingual is used when someone considers themselves as being proficient in multiple languages. Although, there is no specific way to measure how bilingual a person is.

the purpose of this website

There are three main reasons as to why this website was created; this website was made to show how being bilingual can effect the inner workings of your brain, the benefits of being bilingual, and to show how far the United States of America is behind in language learning skills compared to the rest of the world.

Bilingual Brains

There are both positives and a few negatives to being bilingual. To many people, the abundance of positives out way the small amount of cons.

Studies have shown that monolinguals (people who only speak one language) tend to have access to a larger word bank compared to bilinguals who seem to have fewer words available to them in one language. This information can vary seeing as each person's experience in learning a language is different. The age you learned a second language or more can affect the size of your vocabulary and your understanding of the language.

A study conducted in 2009 showed that both monolinguals and bilinguals showed similar responses when given a task that required low levels of brain monitoring. When given a second task with a higher level of monitoring required, bilingual people tended to respond quicker. Scientists have also observed a difference in the density of gray and white matter between bilinguals and monolinguals. They have seen that bilinguals seem to have a higher density of gray matter and they retain more amounts of white matter longer into old age.

The Practical Benefits of Being Bilingual

There are neurological benefits to being bilingual, but there are also many benefits that you can use and see throughout your life.
One of the most noticable benefits showing in the workplace. With businesses growing and expanding world wide, they are searching for employees that are able to communicate with others. Bilingual workers are valued and have shown to both earn more money, and have an easier time finding a job. Being bilingual enables you to connect with many more people and many different cultures.
Scientists have also seen a trend of social and emotional benefits. Some of these include showing better self-control and internalizing negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and loneliness less frequently.
It's been shown that if you speak more than one language, you find it easier to learn another language. You gain a better understanding of your native tongue when learning a second language as you become aware of the grammar rules, structure, and literacy. This enables you to pick up the third language even faster then before.

Languages in American Elementary Schools

In the years 2007-2008, only 25% of elementary schools in the United States taught languages other than English. In 2017, only 20% of K-12 students throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia studied a foreign language. In comparison to these statistics of American schools, a median of 92% of students in Europe are currently learning at least one foreign language as a part of their education through primary and secondary schools. These facts prove that the gap of language learning between the United States and Europe is huge. Childhood is such a crucial time of development in a child's brain, and when only 25% of our elementary schools expose these children to another language, many kids are missing an amazing opportunity to a new culture. With growing technology and a growing nation, we should make an effort to change our low statistics to push ourselves a step further to a better future.

Sources:

Devlin, K. (2018, August 6). Most European students are learning a foreign language in school while Americans lag. Retrieved April 7, 2019, from Pew Research Center website: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/06/most-european-students-are-learning-a-foreign-language-in-school-while-americans-lag/
Grosjean, F. (n.d.). What Bilingualism Is Not. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from Multilingual Living website: http://www.multilingualliving.com/2011/03/03/what-bilingualism-is-not/
Language Instruction in Elementary and Secondary Schools. (2017, January). Retrieved April 7, 2019, from Humanities Indicators website: https://www.humanitiesindicators.org/content/indicatordoc.aspx?i=26
Muñoz, M. A. (2014, June 23). Does being bilingual make you smarter? Retrieved March 30, 2019, from British Council website: https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/does-being-bilingual-make-you-smarter

( Made with Carrd )