10 benefits of bilingualism, according to science - Deepstash
10 benefits of bilingualism, according to science

10 benefits of bilingualism, according to science

Curated from: bigthink.com

Ideas, facts & insights covering these topics:

11 ideas

·

389 reads

4

Explore the World's Best Ideas

Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.

Bilingualism is beneficial

Bilingualism is beneficial

Speaking two or more languages comes with a whole host of benefits.

A growing body of research has focused on the psychological, economic, and health benefits of being bilingual. Here are ten practical benefits of bilingualism.

8

73 reads

It makes learning languages easier

Studies found those who are bilingual find it much easier to learn a third or fourth language.

Even discounting other factors, like differences in IQ, reading abilities or other cognitive aspects, bilingualism is a causal factor in increasing the chances of being able to learn a new language quickly.

8

50 reads

Bilingualism makes you better at multitasking

Bilingualism makes you better at multitasking

Bilinguals have to constantly multitask linguistically. When they have to function in a world outside their first or native language, they have to switch, shift, and process different languages in real-time.

However, a study found that bilinguals are better at non-linguistic multitasking too.

8

39 reads

It makes you more empathetic

Empathy is the ability to relate to someone else and to see things from their perspective.

A major research review concludes that acquiring "two languages helps Theory of Mind development, meaning you have the ability to attribute mental states to other people and to predict and explain other people’s behaviour on the basis of those attributed mental states.

Entering into a different linguistic system makes it easier to enter another’s mind.

7

31 reads

You’ll be more popular

You’ll be more popular

If you are more empathetic, you'll be more likeable too because the Theory of Mind helps develop prosocial behaviours.

Children who develop an advanced Theory of Mind are better at conversations, more socially mature, and often rated as popular in class.

7

25 reads

Bilingualism helps you see things differently

The language you speak helps determine how you interpret actions. You can flip-flop between focusing on the act (such as walking) or the goal of the act (why someone is walking).

Bilinguals interpret aspects of the world according to whichever language they are speaking.

7

30 reads

It can make you richer

It can make you richer

Bilinguals are likelier to get paid more over the course of their life.

An article in The Economist showed that being bilingual would increase your salary by two per cent over 40 years. The effects are more marked depending on what language you can speak. German can boost earnings by 3.8%, and Arabic speakers in the UK have salaries 74% higher, on average.

8

25 reads

It can make your country richer, too

The more a local area, state, or country can speak another language, the greater its economic output.

  • Economists from the University of Geneva estimate one-tenth of Switzerland’s GDP is due to its multilingualism.
  • Research by the Rand Corporation argues that learning a second language in the UK could boost the economy from between £9 billion (for Spanish) to £12 billion (for Mandarin).

8

24 reads

Bilingualism reduces the chances of Alzheimer’s

Bilingualism reduces the chances of Alzheimer’s

According to a huge meta-analysis of studies on the topic, speaking multiple languages

  • Reduces the chances of getting dementia.
  • If you get dementia, it slows its onset and lessens the symptoms.

7

30 reads

It improves certain executive functions

Bilinguals are better at certain executive functions, such as moving between different types of brain activation.

For example, in the "Stroop test", you have to read words for colours (like "red" or "orange") that are written in the same or different colours.

7

29 reads

It makes you more attractive

It makes you more attractive

Being able to speak another language is sexy. It's exotic, mysterious, and intelligent.

Research shows that the most attractive languages are Italian, Portuguese and French. The least attractive were Dutch, German, and Japanese.

7

33 reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

maliat

I love creating music, coffee, and film. Always strive for perfection.

Malia 's ideas are part of this journey:

Back to School Basics for Parents

Learn more about education with this collection

How to communicate effectively with teachers

How to create a supportive learning environment at home

How to manage your child's school schedule and activities

Related collections

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Personalized microlearning

100+ Learning Journeys

Access to 200,000+ ideas

Access to the mobile app

Unlimited idea saving

Unlimited history

Unlimited listening to ideas

Downloading & offline access

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates