If "monolingual is the new stupid," where is the data?

[Anonymous]

LOTS of research here. Click through to look up all the linked studies cited (multiple citations for each italicized claim below).



What does research show about the benefits of language learning?

In this age of accountability in education, policymakers and administrators, as well as parents, are increasingly demanding to know what research studies show regarding the benefits of language learning. This document will identify some of the major correlation studies that highlight how language learners benefit from their experiences.

Three major areas have been identified:

How does language learning support academic achievement?

Language learning correlates with higher academic achievement on standardized test measures.

Language learning is beneficial to both monolingual English and English language learners in bilingual and two-way immersion programs.

Language learning is beneficial in the development of students’ reading abilities.

There is evidence that language learners transfer skills from one language to another.

There is a correlation between second language learning and increased linguistic awareness.

There is a correlation between language learning and students’ ability to hypothesize in science.

Language learning can benefit all students.

There is a correlation between young children’s second language development and the development of print awareness.

Heritage learners who use their language skills to interpret and translate for family members experience higher academic performance and greater self-efficacy.

There is a correlation between language study and higher scores on the SAT and ACT Tests.

There is a correlation between high school foreign language study and higher academic performance at the college level.

How does language learning provide cognitive benefits to students?

There is evidence that early language learning improves cognitive abilities.

There is evidence bilingualism correlates with increased cognitive development and abilities.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and the offset of age-related cognitive losses.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and attentional control on cognitive tasks.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and intelligence.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and metalinguistic skills.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and memory skills.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and problem solving ability.

There is a correlation between bilingualism and improved verbal and spatial abilities.

How does language learning affect attitudes and beliefs about language learning and about other cultures?

Research suggests that language learners develop a more positive attitude toward the target language and/or the speakers of that language.

[Anonymous]

OK, I'm all for learning of all types, so I'd never discourage anyone from learning another language. However, in the interest of full disclosure, you really ought to acknowledge that all the statements above come from the website for the "American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." I'm sure learning a language is great, but I'm not convinced yet that it's better than learning something else, like math or history.

Not to take the discussion in another direction, but when I first read the comment about "monolingual is the new stupid" (or whatever it was), I felt it referred not to just learning a language but rather to being truly multicultural and global in attitude and knowledge. (I also thought the comment was condescending and obnoxious, but that's already been covered in prior posts.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm all for learning of all types, so I'd never discourage anyone from learning another language. However, in the interest of full disclosure, you really ought to acknowledge that all the statements above come from the website for the "American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." I'm sure learning a language is great, but I'm not convinced yet that it's better than learning something else, like math or history.

In the interest of full disclosure, nothing was hidden. Did you actually click through all the links? Every single italicized point was backed up with a group of studies. OBVIOUSLY ACTFL has an interest in promoting the study of foreign languages, however it didn't make up the studies, reports, or conclusions - it just consolidated them. The research comes from multiple sources. Read them before you disparage what you didn't bother to understand.

Had you read the studies, you'd understand that early language acquisition, i.e. "early immersion" is the method for teaching math, science, and even history, not some kind of trade-off. The results of early immersion are proven to yield superior comprehension of A) the home language, B) the subject material - math, science, etc., C) AND the target language. Yes - superior academic performance in all three (as long as the student begins acquisition of the target language during the early elementary years, in an immersion environment).

[Anonymous]

Apologies for the formatting errors. For ease of comprehension that should have read thusly:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm all for learning of all types, so I'd never discourage anyone from learning another language. However, in the interest of full disclosure, you really ought to acknowledge that all the statements above come from the website for the "American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." I'm sure learning a language is great, but I'm not convinced yet that it's better than learning something else, like math or history.

In the interest of full disclosure, nothing was hidden. Did you actually click through all the links? Every single italicized point was backed up with a group of studies. OBVIOUSLY ACTFL has an interest in promoting the study of foreign languages, however it didn't make up the studies, reports, or conclusions - it just consolidated them. The research comes from multiple sources. Read them before you disparage what you didn't bother to understand.

Had you read the studies, you'd understand that early language acquisition, i.e. "early immersion" is the method for teaching math, science, and even history, not some kind of trade-off. The results of early immersion are proven to yield superior comprehension of A) the home language, B) the subject material - math, science, etc., C) AND the target language. Yes - superior academic performance in all three (as long as the student begins acquisition of the target language during the early elementary years, in an immersion environment).

[Anonymous]

Monolingual is not the new stupid, but it is definitely getting harder knowing only one language in an increasingly globalized world.

It is possible of course to live with one language, but knowing more than one could open opportunities and doors that otherwise would stay closed. I speak more than one, and enjoy it. I am able to read books in their original language, read newspapers from other countries and learn about their perspective on issues, watch tv, news and movies, and talk to people in their languages. I also entered a field that requires knowledge of languages as a consequence of me already knowing them. If I spoke only one language, I would have probably chose a different line of work - and probably would have reached the same level of 'success' but would have been doing somehting different. Who knows?

So, for my dd, i would also want to give her this opportunity to learn several languages, so that she has more options for interaction, learning, and work. It is a skill that could always come handy. What she does with her languages knowledge when she grows up - that would be up to her.

[Anonymous]

Bilingula kids are not only able to speak the other language, they usually visit their relatives in the other country, so thy are exposed to the other culture from their chilhood. The majority of my friends in DC area are international, all their kids are US-born, and they are all bilingual. Some of these kids are average at school, but the majority are "star of the class"

[Anonymous]

Human beings are designed to be multilingual simply because we are social animals. Communication with others helps secure resources and limit conflicts. Ergo, the more you can work the networks the more you can benefit. Or at least minimize danger to yourself from miscommunication.

Think Ancient Rome, the Silk Road, Native American hand languages, the many versions of the Bible, and pretty much any trade route involving more than say 3 villages.

Young children are particularly adept at being multilingual because they are more vulnerable. Their brains are developing fast for survival reasons. Being cute and engaging with any adult helps ensure you get food and protection. (Thus strangers' babies in the supermarket will charm your socks off.)

Learning anything helps develop cognition. So scrabble is probably just as good as Rosetta Stone for making capable kids. But study abroad in Madrid or Beijing would be way more interesting IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Human beings are designed to be multilingual simply because we are social animals. Communication with others helps secure resources and limit conflicts. Ergo, the more you can work the networks the more you can benefit. Or at least minimize danger to yourself from miscommunication.

Think Ancient Rome, the Silk Road, Native American hand languages, the many versions of the Bible, and pretty much any trade route involving more than say 3 villages.

Young children are particularly adept at being multilingual because they are more vulnerable. Their brains are developing fast for survival reasons. Being cute and engaging with any adult helps ensure you get food and protection. (Thus strangers' babies in the supermarket will charm your socks off.)

Learning anything helps develop cognition. So scrabble is probably just as good as Rosetta Stone for making capable kids. But study abroad in Madrid or Beijing would be way more interesting IMHO.

Capable is one thing, but if you want them to be bilingual then Mandarin or Spanish immersion is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

I"m sort of amused by the embrace of immersion as the solution to monolingualism--seems like a characteristically American overreaction (and I say that as a native-born American). I have many multilingual friends, principally Europeans, and almost none of them were "immersed" in English or any of the other languages they speak (other than their mother tongue) from an early age. Immersion at some point certainly helps, but it can come quite late in life and still be effective.

[Anonymous]

I want to point out that smart doesn't necessarily mean successful.

Personally, I found that immersion in another language really opened up my mind in many ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I"m sort of amused by the embrace of immersion as the solution to monolingualism--seems like a characteristically American overreaction (and I say that as a native-born American). I have many multilingual friends, principally Europeans, and almost none of them were "immersed" in English or any of the other languages they speak (other than their mother tongue) from an early age. Immersion at some point certainly helps, but it can come quite late in life and still be effective.

Actually it was "invented" by the Canadians as a response to the dwindling French-speaking population as a way to protect the French language and heritage. They've done it the most extensively and that's where a lot of the studies come from. In Hong Kong the combination of Chinese (either Mandarin or Cantonese) and English has been pursued with that Island's historical zeal for success in commerce. Also because Chinese and English share nothing in common linguistically and the one tends to be exceedingly difficult for speakers of the other to master - even after YEARS of study (and vice versa). In the U.S. the most common immersion language is Spanish - often for a combination of educationally practical and cultural factors. After Spanish comes French (very popular in Louisiana) Hawaiian, Japanese, and Chinese (Mandarin) to round out the top 5. A handful of Native American languages are also taught in this fashion. Locally, Fairfax County has been a real leader in immersion education - not surprising given Fairfax's tremendous dedication to high quality schools.

Some interesting reading here, though having been written in 2007 it's two years out of date with respect to the total numbers of Immersion programs - more of which are coming into existence across the country all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apologies for the formatting errors. For ease of comprehension that should have read thusly:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm all for learning of all types, so I'd never discourage anyone from learning another language. However, in the interest of full disclosure, you really ought to acknowledge that all the statements above come from the website for the "American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." I'm sure learning a language is great, but I'm not convinced yet that it's better than learning something else, like math or history.

In the interest of full disclosure, nothing was hidden. Did you actually click through all the links? Every single italicized point was backed up with a group of studies. OBVIOUSLY ACTFL has an interest in promoting the study of foreign languages, however it didn't make up the studies, reports, or conclusions - it just consolidated them. The research comes from multiple sources. Read them before you disparage what you didn't bother to understand.

Had you read the studies, you'd understand that early language acquisition, i.e. "early immersion" is the method for teaching math, science, and even history, not some kind of trade-off. The results of early immersion are proven to yield superior comprehension of A) the home language, B) the subject material - math, science, etc., C) AND the target language. Yes - superior academic performance in all three (as long as the student begins acquisition of the target language during the early elementary years, in an immersion environment).

Screw you and your condescending attitude. Had you disclosed that all your claims came from the ACTFL in the first place, I would not have posted. I count 32 studies listed, and none are linked so I cannot read any of them unless I am willing to go on a Google search for them. If you will please post links to the most useful two or three studies you have read, I'd be interested to review them. Also, in light of the limited time that most of us have to educate our children, I still do not understand how to conduct "early immersion" in a foreign language without some corresponding trade-off in the amount of time we can spend teaching our children other things. If your studies on "early immersion" provide a handy method of increasing the length of the day beyond 24 hours, I'd definitely want to read them.

And by the way, screw you again. My earlier post (which is BTW my only post on this thread) was respectful and constructive. Your subsequent posts are defensive and jerky. If you want me to credit your opinions, try presenting them in a way that's not so offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I"m sort of amused by the embrace of immersion as the solution to monolingualism--seems like a characteristically American overreaction (and I say that as a native-born American). I have many multilingual friends, principally Europeans, and almost none of them were "immersed" in English or any of the other languages they speak (other than their mother tongue) from an early age. Immersion at some point certainly helps, but it can come quite late in life and still be effective.

Interesting. I don't know much about immersion in itself. I do believe exposure to a second language early in life is beneficial, although perhaps not necessary. I took French from age 12 to 22 and was almost fluent, but I've forgotten it all now (in my 40s). My husband learned English as a second language from age 12 and is fluent. I think languages come more easily to him. So for kids who don't have a gift for languages, early exposure seems to me to be the way to go. Immersion or otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apologies for the formatting errors. For ease of comprehension that should have read thusly:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm all for learning of all types, so I'd never discourage anyone from learning another language. However, in the interest of full disclosure, you really ought to acknowledge that all the statements above come from the website for the "American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." I'm sure learning a language is great, but I'm not convinced yet that it's better than learning something else, like math or history.

In the interest of full disclosure, nothing was hidden. Did you actually click through all the links? Every single italicized point was backed up with a group of studies. OBVIOUSLY ACTFL has an interest in promoting the study of foreign languages, however it didn't make up the studies, reports, or conclusions - it just consolidated them. The research comes from multiple sources. Read them before you disparage what you didn't bother to understand.

Had you read the studies, you'd understand that early language acquisition, i.e. "early immersion" is the method for teaching math, science, and even history, not some kind of trade-off. The results of early immersion are proven to yield superior comprehension of A) the home language, B) the subject material - math, science, etc., C) AND the target language. Yes - superior academic performance in all three (as long as the student begins acquisition of the target language during the early elementary years, in an immersion environment).

Screw you and your condescending attitude. Had you disclosed that all your claims came from the ACTFL in the first place, I would not have posted. I count 32 studies listed, and none are linked so I cannot read any of them unless I am willing to go on a Google search for them. If you will please post links to the most useful two or three studies you have read, I'd be interested to review them. Also, in light of the limited time that most of us have to educate our children, I still do not understand how to conduct "early immersion" in a foreign language without some corresponding trade-off in the amount of time we can spend teaching our children other things. If your studies on "early immersion" provide a handy method of increasing the length of the day beyond 24 hours, I'd definitely want to read them.

And by the way, screw you again. My earlier post (which is BTW my only post on this thread) was respectful and constructive. Your subsequent posts are defensive and jerky. If you want me to credit your opinions, try presenting them in a way that's not so offensive.

As the parent of a child in a dual-immersion program, I'll explain how there's no trade-off between the language and something else. DS learns math and science in Spanish. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish. It works particularly well with math because 1+1=2 in any language. Kids learn from the context and from the native speakers in the class. Math doesn't lose out to Spanish because DS spends the same amount of time in math (and every other subject) as kids in monolingual schools do. DS actually is in school longer because the school system eliminated early release days this year to provide dedicated time to Spanish language arts -- so DS actually has an additional subject, but not at the expense of any others.

I'm US-born, speak 2 other languages fluently, another (Spanish -- which I've just learned in the past couple of years) competently, and basic ability in 2 others. I learned my languages from junior high onward. Most of our friends are US-born/raised too. Many can speak other languages, but in my observation, language learning through language-as-a-distinct-subject is a combination of innate ability and motivation. When started young, whether at home or in an immersion school context, it's pretty natural in contrast. I pick up languages naturally, plus I'm very motivated. I really seek out opportunities (books, newspapers, friends who speak that language, internet sites, TV, music etc) to use and develop the languages I've learned. Most people aren't wired like that.

From my own experience, I think learning other languages enriches one's abilities -- writing/speaking -- in one's native language and certainly opens up your mind to other worldviews.

The studies do suggest greater cognitive ability/vocabulary and "linguistic awareness" in bilingual people. I don't think language learning = greater professional success (I sometimes use my languages at work and may seek a second career where I can do so more) but I do think the heading "Monolingual is the new stupid" is correct in some respects: Knowing only one language, in our globalized world, really does leave you impoverished mentally/culturally. It doesn't mean you're not an intelligent person or that you're not successful. It does mean that you're missing out on a lot.

[Anonymous]

15:52 You articulate many of my thoughts. I would like to note that math in Spanish and Spanish alone can get tricky in the upper grades, or with a jargony curriculum like Everyday Math.

I don't think anyone needs data to "get" the advantages of speaking and understanding a second language. It opens horizons. For those who are goal-oriented, Spanish immersion students who take Latin in Middle School do very well. Latin is supposed to help with SAT scores. So if your mind works that way ... there's one tangible benefit.