Being bilingual is a skill that is highly valued in today’s workplace and society. Being well-versed in two languages not only widens the career prospects but also broadens the thinking capacity and the knowledge-base of the individuals.

1. Cognitive benefits

Bilingual students are able to use two languages at the same time, switching consistently, it develops skills for functions such as inhibition, switching attention, and working memory. Students who are being educated bilingually, often perform better on tasks which require multi-tasking, decision making and problem solving, even though they have nothing to do with the language.

2. Academic advantage

In addition to the enhanced cognitive functions, switching between two languages easily helps children develop their literacy skills and enhance their verbal intelligence and social skills.

Along with the flexibility of switching between languages will be a more flexible thought process. They learn to focus on the key elements of the conversation / topic at hand. Younger children learning in a dual-language environment understand more the finer points of how language works. Their logic process and ability to distinguish sound, intonation and accent makes them more likely to pay attention when a teacher is speaking in class.

3. Improved memory

Children who learn a second and third language have better memories and are more cognitively creative than single language speaking counterparts. Research has indicated that bilingual people are usually better at remembering names, directions and items than those who speak one language.

4. Broadens career opportunities

Being fluent in an extra language can make a candidate stand out among prospective employers. It also open doors to extra opportunities that those without these skills may miss out on.

5. Children with a bilingual education are more adaptable

Language isn’t just about learning sets of words and grammar, it is also learning about another culture and another way of life. The advantage of bilingual education gives children a broader outlook and brings them closer to different races and nationalities.