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Why Bilinguals Are Smarter

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Submitted By minismile
Words 958
Pages 4
Sefora Guillen

Prof. Seif

C.A.R 2

March 27, 2012

Response to “Why Bilinguals are Smarter”

Researchers have discovered people who are bilingual are smarter. The profound effect of bilingualism improves cognitive skills not related to language and helps prevent against dementia in old age. Bilingualism was considered an interference that hindered a child’s academic and intellectual development. The interference happens because the brain activates both languages so they obstruct each other. However, this interference is in fact a blessing in disguise because it actually forces the brain to resolve internal conflicts which gives the mind a workout that strengthens its cognitive muscles.

Some instances were bilinguals surpass monolinguals in intelligence are at solving certain types of mental puzzles. The article explains a 2004 study conducted by psychologists Ellen Bialystok and Michelle Martin-Rhee were “bilingual and monolingual preschoolers were asked to sort blue circles and red squares presented on a computer screen into two digital bins. In the first task, the children had to sort the shapes by color, placing blue circles in the bin marked with the blue square and red squares in the bin marked with the red circle. Both groups did this with comparable ease. Next, the children were asked to sort by shape, which was more challenging because it required placing the images in a bin marked with a conflicting color. The bilinguals were quicker at performing this task.”(nytimes.com)

The article continued to explain the Bilingualism improves the brain’s executive function which is the command system that we use in planning, solving problems and ignoring distractions to stay focused. According to International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy, 7-month-old babies exposed to two languages from birth were compared with peers raised with one language. The bilingual babies were quicker to discover to switch their anticipatory gaze to look at the puppet which was moving from one screen to the other. The monolingual babies did not realize the change.

The United States has an abundant amount of languages because of the vast number of immigrants that come to live here. This growing number of languages is an indicator that English speaking Americans should learn a second language to communicate effectively with those around them. As immigrants gradually reach the American Dream, Americans have lacked behind on educating themselves about their own neighbors’ cultures. As a result, the consequence is a lack of communication.

As of ways to aid the consequence, American English speakers should have their own “Bilingual Education”. The intermingling between Spanish students and English students should be encouraged in schools more often. During my grade school years, I noticed how the separation between ESL students and the regular students created a barrier amongst them. Dual-language programs would be a great aid to have monologists learning Spanish. This recent research only proves how powerful language is. Without being conscious about this newly found research; bilinguals are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Realizing how significant another language can be by helping stop an epidemic that has hit elderly Americans is astonishing. Imagine how significantly this epidemic can decrease with the Dual-language programs.

In two-way immersion programs, the classes are set up with both the native English speaker and those of another native tongue. The goal is that these students would teach each other in an open class environment to become “fully bilingual, biliterate students by the end of elementary school.” (care2.com) In San Francisco, California, students can receive a “seal of biliteracy” on their high school transcripts and diplomas. By implementing two-way programs throughout the United States, the barrier between English speakers and English learners will become less of a barrier.

In most High school and colleges, students are given the choice of another language to take as an elective. Some of these students could care less what they learn in their elective classes. Because foreign language classes are not taking seriously by high school students; they need to be taught a second language earlier in their childhood. In psychological research it is said that children can absorb an abundant amount of information. Dual-programs in elementary schools would do wonders to aid the gap between the groups aforementioned.

Along with intermingling and creating connections with one another, job opportunities increase to those who are bilingual. According to Redwood City teacher Toby Pollock, “Having another language in your head and your heart makes the workplace more of a challenge and the job more exciting.” With that being said, as a bilingual I experience working with customers who are mainly Spanish or English speakers. The advantage of knowing these two languages help me communicate clearly to my co-workers and the customer as well.

As a way to communicate effectively with others of different cultural backgrounds and customs, people need to begin to understand one another. Learning from one another is the key to successful and open relationships with people of different races. Opportunities are also highly increased to those who have the chance to be a part of dual-language programs. The advantages are conserving your memory and creating a wildfire of opportunities in a workplace.

References

BHATTACHARJEE, YUDHIJIT. "The Benefits of Bilingualism - NYTimes.com." NY Times Lily Martinez LlllmartiAdvertisement. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012.

" Jobs in California | Career and Employment Resources for Jobseekers in California | jobjournal.com – Being Bilingual Translates into More Opportunity."Jobs in California. California Jobs, Search Jobs in California, Cal Jobs | jobjournal.com. N.p., 18 July 2004. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. .

Chew, Kristina. "The Advantages of Being Bilingual | Care2 Causes." Care2 - largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare.. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. .

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