That Bilingual Thing Really Works!

It is human nature to make judgments based on one’s own history and familiarities.

So it is no surprise that parents would base the quality of education on their own personal experiences.  It is understandable because that is what they know.

When presented with the possibility of a bilingual education for their children, many are intrigued by the opportunity, but are concerned that something will be sacrificed.

For parents who grew up with bilingual education in the home or the school, this is an easier choice with fewer concerns.

The classic question asked is, “How can you teach everything in half a day?”  And therein lies the catch because we know that learning takes place all day long.  The fact is that by having lessons taught in two languages, students are learning to apply rules and concepts to different settings, thereby actually enabling the brain to develop differently and into a more flexible mind. 

There are countless articles and lots of research supporting bilingual education (click on the link to learn more). One example of the benefits is that research shows that bilingual students outperform monolingual students on standardized tests, especially in the areas of math and expressive language  even when bilingual students receive less instructional math time.

In fact, it is only in America where the idea that one might speak in just one language has any traction. In many countries, second and third languages are taught as a matter of course.  It provides students with an understanding that we live in a global community in which one must come to understand other languages, history, and cultures.

Perhaps the simplest answer to whether bilingual education works is how a school’s graduates do in high school and college.  In my experience, graduates of bilingual programs are disproportionately represented in the ranks of leadership and scholarship as evidenced by the number who take multiple honors and AP classes; serve as officers in student government and youth groups; who are captains of varsity teams; and who receive National Merit recognition.

We assume that parents who are considering a bilingual program are mindful of the fact  that the world is changing and along with new realities comes new approaches to learning that are less focused on what we know and more focused on what needs to be known in a rapidly evolving global community.

And if you don't believe me, you can check out this article by the ultimate authority (besides the Supreme Being), The New York Times.