Bilingual education – a competitive advantage


There are many studies exploring the positive impact of bilingualism on brain function. Irrespective of the ongoing debate, a second language can give students a distinct advantage in a highly competitive and globalised world, says Andrew Coombe of Cambridge Assessment International Education.


“A


different language is a different vision of life,” said the film director, Federico Fellini. Around the world, it’s estimated that more than 50% of the world’s population


speak at least two languages. For many, the ability to speak a second language opens up a range of possibilities for their future. Providing students with the chance to study in another language


can improve access to higher education, provide opportunities to study abroad and improve future job prospects. It has also been shown to enhance cognitive development. In an increasingly globalised world, a bilingual education could be one of the most important advantages parents can give to their children.


So, what is a bilingual education? For us, bilingual education means that learners study typical


school subjects – such as maths or geography – through an additional language (such as English) and some subjects through their first language. They may even study the same subject through two languages. We work with schools across the world that use Cambridge programmes as the English-medium strand of a bilingual education programme. In many academic institutions around the world, there has


been a move towards ‘English as a medium of instruction’ (EMI). This means non-native English speakers are educated in English at a younger age, which helps prepare them for higher education, and ultimately work. “Being proficient in more than one language in today’s


global market, can directly translate into greater professional opportunities,” explains Susan Stewart, head of multilingualism


at ISL Surrey. “Imagine having two candidates, both similar in terms of educational background and experience, apply for the same position in Shanghai. One of the candidates has Mandarin on their CV, which gives them the upper hand. Why? This candidate is going to settle into life in China with greater ease, given that they can communicate on the street, in the shops and over the phone. In the work place, this candidate might pick up subtleties in meetings, helping the company to gain the upper hand in negotiations.” But it’s not just a student’s career prospects that stands to


benefit from bilingual education – this kind of learning can also have a significant impact on cognitive development. Dr Ellen Bialystok, professor of psychology at York University in


Toronto, Canada, has been studying the advantages of bilingualism for almost 40 years. In 2013, Dr Bialystok found that regularly using more than one language can enhance cognitive abilities in some surprising areas. For example, bilingual learners tend to have greater working memory. In other words, the brain’s capacity to temporarily hold information, which is important for reasoning and decision making. As bilingual children use multiple languages, they learn to


monitor and filter their use of words to ensure they use the right language. This process has been shown to strengthen ‘executive function’, the set of mental skills that help individuals with tasks such as managing time and paying attention. Bilingual learners also demonstrate greater cognitive flexibility


– the mental ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts, and to think about multiple concepts simultaneously.


50 | Relocate | Autumn 2018


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