Studies have shown that bilingual students generally do better in school, have better problem-solving skills, and are more proficient in both their spoken languages. On top of that, bilingual children have been found to be more empathetic, and had better social skills and capacity to understand the intentions and perspectives of others, due to the multifarious considerations of context required when speaking to different people of different mother tongues.
Even children who were merely exposed to another language had already developed improvements in these skills.
Other studies have shown that bilingualism improves children’s executive function, which include a variety of basic cognitive processes such as working memory and cognitive flexibility.
Bilingual people are also found to be superior at tasks which involve the resolution of cognitive conflicts.
Looking to the future, and not just in the sense of the top 10 skills, studies have shown two direct benefits – depending on the region, bilingual workers make anywhere between 1.5 to 7 percent more than monolingual ones. Surveyed managers also believe that better communication across borders would improve their business.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a globally recognised curriculum, known for its academic rigor, holistic approach, and focus on preparing students for the future. The IB is a curriculum for families to consider, especially when they desire a pathway that emphasizes global-mindedness, critical thinking and personal growth.
What exactly are the benefits of the IB curriculum and why is it such a popular choice for students around the world?
