As global travel continues to increase and due to the rise of many international businesses, obtaining a bilingual education offers many benefits. Of course, the most obvious is an ability to speak two languages fluently. This opens up a wealth of employment and relocation opportunities for those who wish to experience other regions of the world. However, there are some lesser-known advantages that should also be mentioned. Let us take a closer look.
An Interactive Edge
Respected institutions such as the Bilingual Institution of Paris have embraced the mantra that learning should take place within a proactive as opposed to a reactive environment. To put this another way, active learning in an international school encourages enriching all aspects of a student's education while targeting trouble areas that many not be easily seen through the use of rote memorisation alone. Another benefit of this type of interaction is that the needs of different students can be addressed on a personalised basis. As a result, it is much easier to modify an approach when it best serves the child.
The Cultural Impact
Although we live in an interconnected world, the fact of the matter is that many races and cultures feel rather isolated from one another. This could lead to problems in the future. A bilingual education embraces cultural differences. Not only will students learn grammar and syntax, but they will become immersed in the unique aspects of many different peoples. Developing a more worldly view at a young age is essential to mould well-rounded individuals as they become adults.
Enhanced Cognitive Abilities
Some research has shown that a bilingual education can have a positive impact upon other cognitive skills such as reading, writing and maths. While the exact mechanics involved are not yet fully understood, those who learn a second language at an earlier age could very well experience other educational benefits as they continue to grow into adolescence and adulthood.