Benefits of Bilingualism

Leading expert Patsy M. Lightbown discusses the benefits of Bilingualism. She explores the social, economic, and even health benefits of learning English.

Dominika Baran reminds us of the history and value of America’s multilingual past   Every September, or August in some cases, teachers welcome into their classrooms students whose first language is not English. Some of these may be immigrant or refugee children who have just arrived in the U.S. and know not a single English …

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Research shows that investing in education raises educational attainment and earnings, and reduces the likelihood of both poverty and incarceration in adulthood.

As one who has worked in bilingual education for almost two decades, the question I am always asked is, “When is the best time to become bilingual?” The answer: The

UO doctoral student in psychology finds direction during a talk by a College of Education professor

“Bilinguals have a very different task .... having to sort through the two competing languages and choose the correct word," says Dr. Ellen Bialystok.

Raising bilingual children is a great idea -- there are so many benefits of learning a second language. Here are 7 ways bilingual parenting helps your kids.

Each year, a smaller proportion of Latinos in the United States speaks Spanish. But for many, the language is still a fundamental marker of their identity.

As almost 20 percent of Madison Metropolitan School District’s students are Latino and 27 percent are English Language Learners, the interest and the need for dual-language immersion (DLI) education has been growing and will only continue to grow in Madison. With that in mind, Nuestro Mundo, Inc., the Latino Education Council, and Centro Hispano co-sponsored

One area that’s growing is medical interpretation.

Published by EducationDive, October 13, 2017

Having the ability to speak a second language helps recent graduates stand out in the job applicant pool — a reality that K12 and higher education institutions can tap into for improving student ROI. Education Dive points out 6 promising signs that investing in second language programs will have many ancillary benefits. 

Published by the Journal Times, August 22, 2017

Dual Language programs have proven to be an effective approach. Research studies indicate that the achievement of proficiency in a second language associated with Dual Language instruction provides the following benefits for students:

Enhanced levels of metalinguistic awareness (i.e., knowledge of how language works), proven to be essential to learning how to read.

Improved performance versus monolingual students on tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition and problem-solving (1996, Collier Thomas Study)

Greater awareness and understanding of one’s native language

Ability to communicate with other ethnic and cultural groups

Greater understanding, tolerance, appreciation and respect for diverse languages and cultures

Ability to take advantage of global opportunities

Enhanced employment prospects beyond graduation

Designation of the State Seal of Biliteracy on high school diploma