The “bilingual mind” is a prized possession.
It has been proven to enhance economic opportunity, fuel creativity, and even provide a robust defense against cognitive decline.
That’s why modern neuroscientists believe that people who speak more than one language possess a true superpower.
While the benefits of bilingualism are appealing, the process of learning new languages can seem daunting, especially if you recently arrived in America. And with all of the responsibilities immigrant families must face, a bilingual education often gets overlooked.
At uLink, we believe bilingual education is truly invaluable, and in today’s article, we hope to highlight the fruit of that investment.
As we explore the bilingual education infrastructure in the U.S., we will discuss the benefits of bilingual education, the availability of dual language immersion programs, and the powerful ways immigrant parents can support their children along the way.
One Nation, Many Voices: Bilingualism in America
America is a symphony of cultures.
While English is the national language, it’s simply one voice out of many others. Today, over 350 languages are spoken across the country.
In their homes, nearly 68 million Americans speak a language other than English, a figure that has nearly tripled since 1980.
The most popular secondary languages include:
- Spanish, is the leading non-English language in America. Over 13% of the U.S. population speaks Spanish (roughly 42 million people), and given its popularity, that number will likely increase to 33% by 2050.
- Chinese, is the second most common non-English language in America, totaling over 3.5 million people.
- Tagalog, is the third most common non-English language in America, totaling over 1.7 million people.
Other languages with over a million speakers in the United States include Vietnamese, Arabic, French, and Korean.
To meet the growing multiplicity of languages, bilingual education programs for English Language Learners (ELLs) have proliferated across America.
These academic options feature several instructional models, including Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE), which prioritizes fluency in the student’s native language prior to learning English.
Dual Language Programs (DLP) facilitate biliteracy through a hybrid curriculum that spends roughly 50% of instructional time on English and the other half on the student’s native language.
English as a Second Language (ESL) focuses exclusively on English language instruction. Therefore, ESL is often regarded as the most stringent “sink or swim” instructional model—though there are many tiers to ESL, as we will discuss in a later section.
While the principles of ESL are still widely taught, the educational course has been renamed to ELL, English-Language Learners. In some situations, it is also referred to as English as a New Language (ENL).
The point is, that learning English as a second language is very popular in the U.S.
There are currently over 5 million English learners (ELs) enrolled across America’s public schools. In the state of Texas, ELs represent over 20% of all public school students, while they comprise nearly 18% of public school students in California (and over 16% in New Mexico).
In the last few years, dual language programs have exploded across America, with over 3,600 individual offerings (over 80% of which were Spanish).
Currently, 44 of the 50 states offer DLP immersion programs—60% of all DLP offerings are located in New York, California, North Carolina, Utah, and Texas.
Despite a current shortage of bilingual teachers, the DLP immersion market is expected to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% over the next decade. In fact, the market will likely grow from $1.5 billion in 2023 to $14 billion in 2032.
And as the DLP infrastructure expands, so will the bilingual educational offerings for immigrants around the world.
Benefits of Bilingual Education
According to the latest scientific findings, the multilingual mind experiences life in new dimensions.
In fact, this “4D” perspective has been shown to unlock the doors of creativity, prosperity, and longevity.
From a financial standpoint, 40% of bilingual employees say their language skills directly enhance their job prospects and employability. They are also more likely to receive an annual raise and earn nearly 20% more than employees who speak only one language.
That’s one reason why countries like Luxembourg and Singapore—nations with multiple official languages—have the highest GDP per capita in the world: bilingualism breeds wealth.
Beyond the economic advantages, the bilingual mind is also a bastion of creativity and mental clarity. This is historically evident in the works of artists like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pablo Picasso, and Frida Kahlo, all of whom spoke multiple languages.
Recent studies also affirm what we already suspected: bilingualism promotes divergent thinking, which is essential to creativity and artistic expression. More specifically, bilingual minds gain focus, greater command over problem-solving, and a significantly heightened attention to detail.
Here’s why: the bilingual mind operates multiple languages at the same time, suppressing one language while utilizing another, and repeatedly switching between the two. This herculean feat stimulates the brain’s pathways in a perpetual neuro-workout that directly fuels creativity.
These findings have two major implications: a bilingual education improves the learning potential of children, and protects against cognitive decline in elderly adults. In fact, studies show that bilingual speakers could delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease four years longer than monolinguals.
The same principle holds true for children, where early investments in bilingual education yield significant rewards. More specifically, children who studied a second language showed greater developmental growth than their single-language counterparts.
These are just a few of the many benefits of bilingual education.
While the bilingual mind enhances economic prospects, creative drive, and mental acuity, it offers something far more valuable: the augmentation of the human spirit.
Immigrant Parents’ Guide for English-Language Learners (ELLs)
If your child intends to learn English in an American school, here’s what you can expect to encounter.
Though each ELL program has a unique structure, most institutions will observe the same six levels of English language proficiency.
For example, some organizations use nomenclature like Level 1: Entering, and Level 6: Reaching, while others call those stages Beginner and Advanced.
In most cases, the various learning techniques and modules will be similar, unless you pursue a program that offers dual language immersion.
As you investigate your family’s educational opportunities, there are three main questions you will need to answer:
1. How Will the School Know Your Child Is an English Learner?
When you register your child for school, you will be asked to complete a “home language” survey. This is standard procedure in all 50 states. If your child speaks a language other than English, they will then be tested and classified as an English learner (unless they demonstrate fluency on the exam).
2. What Kind of Support Will Your Child Receive?
Depending on the test results, your child will receive two types of educational support. For starters, the school will create a plan to develop your child’s academic English: their ability to speak, read, and write in a new language. At the same time, the school will also need to ensure that your child understands each subject at the same level as native English speakers. To that end, bilingual programs alternate between the two languages to ensure your child receives the education they need. As a parent, you always have the right to verify your child’s progress and ask the school which methods they’re using (and why they’re using them). You also have the right to refuse any additional support offered by the school if it does not align with your expectations or values.
3. How Will You Know When Your Child Has Achieved English Proficiency?
Every year, your child will take an English exam to measure their progress. When your child can confidently read, write, and speak in English, they will no longer be classified as an EL (though the school will continue to monitor their fluency). Conversely, if your child shows a need for additional (or more rigorous) support, the school will adjust accordingly.
While American schools are invested in your child’s success, you are always their best advocate. Though it might seem forward to ask, don’t be shy about requesting specifics on your school’s ELL protocols and where your child fits into the picture.
Learning English is a significant time commitment and a major part of your child’s future in the United States. While partnering with your school’s professionals, be sure to get the answers and strategies you need.
Now, is your child obliged to speak English to attend school? In most cases, no.
The vast majority of states give students full access to a complete educational curriculum regardless of their native language. In fact, only the state of Arizona currently enforces English-only legislation for their public schools.
Remember your rights—and the rights of your children—as you ensure they receive the best education possible in America.
How Parents Can Support Their Children
English fluency takes time.
According to researchers, students need 200 total hours of study to achieve a basic level of fluency and up to 1,200 total hours to master a new language.
As a parent, you are uniquely positioned to help your child succeed. In fact, home is where they can practice what they’ve learned in school, “fail” without fear of scorn, and get confident conversing in English.
To that end, aim to create an environment that encourages exploration and makes language learning fun.
Of course, watching TV shows and movies in English is an easy way to begin, but so is telling stories of your own. Use your native tongue to create a bridge between the two cultures, and to better explain unfamiliar words and concepts to your child.
As we discussed, toggling between two languages helps stimulate neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to learn new patterns and ways of operating. Engaging in conversation is a powerful way for your child to synthesize English with his or her original language.
Of course, it’s important to establish a reliable homework routine free of distraction. While putting away screens and technology (where possible), try to create a designated physical space—and a set time—where learning is prioritized. While English remains foreign, the environment and schedule must be as familiar as possible.
Finally, be sure to take advantage of extracurricular activities that may provide meaningful opportunities to grow in English proficiency.
To supplement your English education journey, visit the National Literacy Directory. Click “Learn English,” then enter your zip code (or city and state) to find resources nearest you. For example, a quick search around New York City provides access to the YMCA New Americans Initiative, which offers a popular English program to immigrants of all ages.
uLink: The Language of Love
The bilingual mind is a beautiful thing.
It fuels financial freedom, inspires artistic endeavors, and promotes neurological health.
And yet, as amazing as these benefits of bilingual education may be, they’re secondary to an all-encompassing truth: “Knowing another language is like having a second soul.”
While it will take time to master the English language, your efforts will yield incredible results.
At uLink, we serve many nations by speaking the universal language of love. While families live all around the world, our state-of-the-art digital technology unites them in powerful ways.
Thanks to great exchange rates (and fees starting as low as $0), you can send more money home than ever before. Plus, when you use the uLink app, you can transfer funds to loved ones in just a few quick clicks.
Miles from home—just moments away with uLink.