Stefanie Zimerman

Dr. Skutar

3/26/18

The Importance of Being Bilingual and the Benefits for Students, Individuals and Society

I am Stefanie Zimerman, a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati majoring in

Communication Sciences and Disorders. I learned a second language, Hebrew, at the age of 18

when moving to Israel to join the Israeli Defense Force. I have found that being bilingual has

improved many aspects of my life, in particular my academic performance. In high school I was

a very average student and did not put much effort in school however, in college I am an

excellent student, I have a very high GPA and I enjoy succeeding in the classroom.

I do not think this would have happened if I had not experienced time overseas thus

learning a second language. As such, I propose that every student in America be required to learn

a second language beginning in kindergarten and continuing throughout their schooling, as being

bilingual contributes to better academic performance, improves cognitive abilities, the ability to

focus on goals, it improves attention to detail, it can lower stress and reduce the risk of

depression. Finally, being bilingual provides increased opportunities for the citizens of our

country to flourish in a job market that is increasingly competitive and globalized. I propose that

all American schools should allocate funds to expand foreign language departments, so every

student can reap the many personal, educational, social, and economic benefits of being

bilingual.

Background information: difference between monolingual and bilingual language

acquisition-

what is bilingual? https://www.childresearch.net/papers/language/2013_01.html

Now, some of you may be thinking, what exactly does it mean to be bilingual? The dictionary

defines bilingual as the ability to speak two languages with the capability of a native speaker as

well as “spoken, written, or containing similar information in two different languages”

(Bilingual). While this definition is very straight forward there is more to being bilingual than the

ability to speak the language proficiently. According to Steve McCarty, a professor at Osaka

Jogakuin University, said that “The word "bilingualism" can mean many things, which together

form a "perspective" on language issues and life decisions. Becoming bilingual oneself, it

becomes possible to see the same event from the standpoint of two different languages and

cultural viewpoints” (McCarty, Steve).

Zimerman 2

This above image depicts the benefits of being bilingual on the brain, such as improved memory

and decision-making skills, prevents dementia, and more (Borreli, Lizette).

Learning a second language is vital to increase brain function and promote good learning

habits and skills within American students. The list of benefits is lengthy while the list of

downsides is rather short. Many studies have been conducted that show a positive correlation

between second language study and higher scores on standardized tests (“What The Research

Shows”). Students that had second language studies daily showed higher test scores on

standardized tests then students who did not have exposure to the foreign language (“ACTFL”).

This is only one example of the many studies that were conducted that prove a strong correlation

between learning a foreign language and improved reading abilities, increased linguistic

awareness, and higher academic performance in college, results which we all seek.

Zimerman 3

The benefits of brain function due to learning a second language is evident is throughout

our human life cycle from infancy to old age. A study conducted by Johan Martensson showed

that studying a foreign language for three months contributed to brain growth in the

hippocampus and in the ridges of the cerebral cortex (Czekala, Bartosz). Brain growth promotes

neural connections throughout the brain which in turn improves cognition. In addition to brain

growth, learning a second language has endless benefits which include, improved listening skills

attention span, a higher ability to multitask and it slows down cognitive decline. The impact of

these benefits on students’ lives is endless, not only does their academic performance improve,

by learning a second language the students are receiving tools and benefits that will last a life

time.

Zimerman 4

This image provides statistics on the effects of being bilingual on education. The image shows

the difference between countries in the EU and America (Monolingual vs Bilingual Infographic)

There are only a few counter-arguments against educating bilingualism, with the most

notable being research that has determined that “putting too much effort into learning a new

language hinders the ability to learn the language. The study’s results showed that some aspects

of learning a language are better learned through procedural memory, performing tasks without

thinking about them, while other aspects are better learned through declarative memory, storing

of knowledge and facts (Try, Try Again?). This argument refers to very specific types of

learning styles all of which could, and should, be implemented in any effective school

curriculum.

In “The Disadvantages of Learning a Foreign Language” Richards presents arguments to

the statement: every student should learn a second language. Some of the arguments include cost

and a lack of usefulness. One certainly cannot deny the endemic lack of funding of American

public schools, and the sad fact that the American public-school system is not present on the top

ten list of the world’s best educational systems. In order for United States schools to become

more effective an overriding factor would need to be increased government spending and a re-

evaluation of the current education system.

Richards argues from a macro perspective about the lack of funding for, and usefulness

of a second language, but it orders to reform a system we must begin at the micro level and

introduce changes that first resound with and provide benefits for the individual, and thereby

affects the whole. Further as we become an increasingly global economy where more than 90%

of the world’s population don’t speak English, it is vital for the future of our children and our

country that we are able to effectively communicate on a global scale (Marian, Victoria, and

Zimerman 5

Anthony Shook). Ultimately this brings about deeper understanding and empathy for cultures

different to your own.

This graph shows the percentages of Bilingual Speakers in certain countries. As seen from the

graph, the US is slowly experiencing an increase of bilingual speakers however, the percentage is

still low at less than 20% (Marian, Victoria, and Anthony Shook).

Learning a second language is extremely beneficial; it improves cognition and memory,

provides the student with high verbal and nonverbal intelligence, improves the ability to

multitask and is even shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline later in life. Having a

population fluent in a second language also makes social sense for a country and world that is

increasingly diverse, and it makes economic sense from both a micro and macro level. In

Zimerman 6

addition, knowing a second language provides cultural enrichment, and the ability to

communicate and interact confidently with people outside one’s own community.

Are you bilingual? Do you regret not ever mastering a second language? We strive to

provide opportunities for self-improvement, to enhance self-confidence and provide the

resources so that the next generation have the tools to be the best they can be, and it begins with

the most fundamental of all human interactions – communication. There truly are no

disadvantages to being bilingual and it’s good for you. I want to conclude with a quote by

Ludwig Wittgenstein, an Austrian-British philosopher who said, “the limits of my language

mean the limits of my world.”

Zimerman 7

Work- Cited

“ACTFL” Studies Supporting Increased Academic Achievement | American Council on the

Teaching of Foreign Languages, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages,

www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows/studies-supporting#collegeperformance.

“Bilingual” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/bilingual.

Borreli, Lizette. “Bilingualism And Brain Health.” Canadian Parents for French | Manitoba,

mb.cpf.ca/blog/whats-new/bilingualism-and-brain-health-learning-a-second-language-boosts-

cognitive-function-even-at-old-age/.

Czekala, Bartosz. “80 Amazing Benefits of Language Learning.” The Universe of Memory,

www.universeofmemory.com/benefits-of-language-learning/.

Marian, Victoria, and Anthony Shook. “The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual.” Dana

Foundation  , Cerebrum , 31 Oct. 2012,

dana.org/Cerebrum/2012/The_Cognitive_Benefits_of_Being_Bilingual/.

“Monolingual vs Bilingual Infographic.” e-Learning Infographics, 6 Feb. 2014,

elearninginfographics.com/monolingual-vs-bilingual-infographic/.

McCarty, Steve. “Bilingualism as the Goal of Language Learning.” Bilingualism and Language

Teaching, Child Research Net, 21 June 2013,

www.childresearch.net/papers/language/2013_01.html.

Richards, Rebekah. “The Disadvantages of Learning a Foreign Language.” Synonym, Classroom,

classroom.synonym.com/disadvantages-learning-foreign-language-7932356.html.

Zimerman 8

“Try, Try Again?” Science Daily, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 21 July 2014,

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140721142211.htm.

“What The Research Shows” American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages, ACTFL,

www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows.

Zimerman 9