At Nord Anglia Education schools, we encourage our students not only to learn foreign languages but to think, feel, and experience the world through them. Many of our schools around the world, from the United States to Switzerland and from Vietnam to China, offer a world-class bilingual education.
Bilingualism—the ability to communicate fluently in two languages—helps children learn and grow. At our schools, we understand being bilingual helps students truly excel because it boosts their thinking skills, improves decision-making, and enhances communication. Plus, it helps them appreciate other cultures on a deeper level.
Read on for a closer look at all the benefits of bilingualism.
Stronger academics and cognition
Bilingualism can boost children’s ability to think critically and handle complex information. Switching between two languages enhances children’s mental agility—leading to better performance in maths, reading, vocabulary, and more. It also boosts their problem-solving abilities and develops critical thinking skills.
Being fluent in more than one language can also sharpen everyday skills. Children who are bilingual learn skills to focus on relevant information and sideline the irrelevant. In fact, a bilingual education can even propel students ahead of their native speaker peers. Long term, this can lead to an improved memory and even fight against the effects of cognitive decline in (much) later life.
Bilingualism and improved decision-making for students
Research suggests bilingualism can help people make more considered decisions. By using a second language, they can avoid the biases of their first language, leading to better decisions.
Nord Anglia Education students who study at a bilingual school hone their multilingual abilities to navigate complex situations, giving them an edge that will benefit them as they go on to higher learning and start their careers.
Bilingualism leads to more effective communication
Learning a foreign language in school also helps children improve their communication skills, whether its speaking, writing, or listening abilities. By learning to express themselves in different languages, children become more adept at understanding and responding to the subtle nuances in communication, both verbal and non-verbal, giving them a distinct advantage when building connections with others.
Bilingualism also opens up a wider world of ideas, helping students understand different perspectives and worldviews. This unique ability helps students articulate their thoughts clearly so they can engage in meaningful, respectful dialogues across cultural boundaries, promoting mutual understanding.
A deeper appreciation of other cultures
Speaking of cultures, being bilingual fosters cultural appreciation and enriches children’s understanding of diversity too. Speaking a second language can make travel more enjoyable because it allows for real conversations with locals and a deeper, more authentic cultural experience.
From Switzerland to Shanghai and from New York to Dubai, many Nord Anglia schools teach bilingually, creating rich, multicultural environments where students can develop deep cultural insights and awareness.
Explore a Bilingual Education with Nord Anglia
By embracing bilingual education, Nord Anglia students not only excel academically but also grow into globally minded individuals. We’re proud to offer a leading bilingual education across the globe.
Here’s just a few of our schools teaching students to love learning in a different language:
