Researchers agree that those who master several languages develop better cognitive skills, including enhanced creativity, adaptability, analytical skills and multi-tasking abilities. These abilities help explain why these students typically score better in verbal intelligence, conceptualization and global thinking, and more easily discover creative solutions to problems. In addition, attending class in a diverse cultural and socioeconomic environment positively affects relationships, attitudes and behaviors. Students gain an understanding of and appreciation for other cultures.
Fact: Success in school depends upon the child’s command of cognitive/academic language, which is very different from the social language used at home or acquired through traditional language courses.
Fact: Children who master multiple languages develop learning strategies that help when learning additional languages.
Fact: Children learn an additional language in different ways depending upon their cultures and their individual personalities.
Fact: The development of cognitive/academic language requires time: 4 to 7 years of formal instruction until complete fuency.
Fact: Students fluent in multiple languages consistently outperform their peers on standard language and academic achievement tests.
