Reporting, Bilingual Education - Final Edit

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Regan Burgett English 100: Craft of Writing Bilingual Education in Young Students Over time, studies have shown that children who grow up in a bilingual environment have improved focus and more advanced cognitive skills at a young age opposed to children that grow up speaking only one language. The results of these studies disprove the common belief that bilingualism can overwhelm the brain in its early stages of development; it actually does the opposite. Research shows that bilingual education starting at a young age can improve the prefrontal cortex activity networks, meaning that children who are learning two or more languages have improved levels of thinking and awareness as well as more goal-oriented behavior compared to that of their monolingual peers. Not only can bilingual education greatly improve cognitive development, it can also bridge the gap for immigrant children and improve their learning in a primarily English-speaking school. Bilingual education in young children is important because it supports cognitive function and development as well as improving memory, organizational skills, and critical thinking skills. Despite the benefits, bilingual education can also be detrimental to the proper education of immigrant and non-english speaking children. This is because schools will focus more on the integration of a second language rather than focusing on the strengthening of their English communication skills. This can affect children negatively in the long run by stunting their brain development, preventing them from strengthening their communication skills, give them difficulty in the future when communicating with native English speakers, as well as give them a lack of support when trying to find a high-skilled job after their schooling. Furthermore, teaching children a second language in the early stages of their development will also support the child later in their education, as it develops a strong basis for their understanding of both their 1st and 2nd language, but if too much of a focus is placed on the second language, it can have the opposite effect. It can overwhelm and negatively affect the children, setting them up poorly for their future. In 1936, a Swiss developmental psychologist named Jean Piaget developed a theory on childhood development and its stages, commonly known as “Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development”. Piaget believed that development was simply a reorganization of the brain and the way it thinks, as a result from maturation and environmental experience. Piaget focused the

theory on two different processes- assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation shows how children view and adapt to new situations and new experiences they have. Over time and through more experience, children can improve and further develop the way they think. Piaget’s theory begins with the sensorimotor stage (birth - 2 years), where children are just beginning to use their senses and discover the world around them. The next stage in Piaget’s theory is the preoperational stage (2 - 6 years), where children start representing things and ideas with certain words or images. Later in this stage, children begin to develop better language skills. It’s not until the concrete operational stage (7 - 11 years) that most children begin thinking more logically and critically. Through bilingual education, children are developing at a faster rate compared to those who aren’t learning a second language, speeding up the rate of Piaget’s theory. Their brains are more developed at a young age, and they show improvement with focus and critical thinking skills. Although there is no direct correlation between bilingualism and the IQ of a child, children that speak multiple languages show improvements with staying on task, thinking more critically, and having better organizational skills. Evidence gathered by researchers such as Ellen Bialystok show that children who speak more than one language exhibit control and critical thinking whilst switching back and forth between languages. Children must evaluate, control, and keep the storage networks of all their languages active and available. This improves decision making, more in-depth thinking, and communication skills in young children which will significantly support them later on in life, especially when it comes to furthering their education. Ellen Bialystok’s research shows that children who were bilingual learners scored higher on cognitive testing than monolingual students. These bilingual children also showed greater activity in their prefrontal cortex networks, more attentive focus, improved prioritizing and planning, better judgment and analysis, and a more developed memory. Not only is bilingual education important for improved brain function and cognitive development, it is also necessary in our ever-advancing society. Bilingual education has become too much of a political debate and less about the improvement of the education of our children. Many arguments against bilingual education stem from the fear that English will become a neglected language in the United States; however, that idea is regressive as much of the rest of the world ensures that its students can speak at least two languages (most commonly their native language and English). Multilingualism is important and necessary for clear communication

among all children, and also helps children develop a sense of cultural appreciation. The main goal of bilingual education should not concern politics, but it should rather be focused on providing a quality education to students and setting them up for a bright future. The field of labor and professional work requires that most graduate students not only have high literacy levels in English, but also an understanding of communication in other languages. Students should have the right to be prepared for these real-world situations, and must be properly educated in order to meet the demands of modern society. In many other countries, outside of the United States, it is a requirement for children to learn English alongside their native language. These children can communicate effectively with native English speakers, and it supports them in their studies as well as allows them to travel to English speaking places with few miscommunications. The responsibility should not just fall on non-English speakers to learn English. Everyone in society should take a step forward to have a better understanding of other languages if their intention is to travel or communicate with people who are non-native English speakers. Not only will this make non-native English speakers feel more comfortable in their language, but it will also prevent any miscommunications that might occur and it will give them a better understanding of English. Despite the importance of multilingualism and the education of it in schools, many parents and teachers argue that the developing brain has restrictions and will get overwhelmed if too much information is taught all at once. For these arguments, people believe that children aren’t advanced enough at such a young age and simply don’t have enough storage for multiple languages. This belief couldn’t be farther from the truth. Experience with new areas of challenge, such as a new language, actually strengthens the brain’s cognition and comprehension and builds brain strength, speed, and efficiency. When it comes to implementing bilingual education, it should be encouraged in both homes and in schools. Parents should take a step forward to begin teaching their children the basics and base for a new language. This can simply be done through reading books to children in other languages, watching movies or tv shows in other languages with English subtitles on, or education apps such as Duolingo. Implementing things like this into a child’s every day routine will get them adjusted to a new language, and give them a base so it’s easier to understand more thoroughly when they begin learning in school. Bilingual education should also be implemented much earlier in schools and should be a requirement for students. The earlier a child is introduced to a second language, the easier it will be for them to understand

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and comprehend it. If children are introduced to a new language early on, they will be able to develop it all throughout middle school and high school, and it will increase their ability to communicate fluently using that language later on in their life. Although there are many pros to bilingual education, there are also some negative aspects as well. A large aspect of bilingual education is to help immigrant children learn regular subjects like science and math, but in their native language. This is to ensure that they don’t fall behind the other children and that they have a smooth and easy transition when learning in a primarily English speaking school. The negative side effects of this however, provide a very strong argument against bilingual education programs. Some bilingual education programs are depriving immigrant children of the proper tools they need to become proficient in English, which can stunt their brain development and make it more difficult for them in the long run. By focusing their studies on English and becoming proficient in the language, immigrant children can strengthen their communication skills, work in a higher-skilled job field in the future, and face little to no difficulties or miscommunications whilst communicating with native english speakers. Bilingual education sacrifices long-term for short-term benefits, by focusing more on the transitioning of students rather than the strengthening of their English communication. To conclude, multilingual education has both pros and cons. Bilingual education in young children is especially important because it supports cognitive function and development. Teaching children a second language in the early stages of their development will also support the child later in their education, as well as help them develop a better sense of cultural appreciation, and it will set them up for a future in which requires a great understanding of English literacy as well as other languages. As society develops, the importance of knowing multiple languages for successful communication grows. Eventually, knowing multiple languages will be necessary, and it will be much easier to adapt if children are educated from a young age. However, many bilingual education programs are set up in a way that will negatively impact non-native English speakers. These programs place more of a focus on the second language and the transitioning of immigrant children, which makes them lack proficiency and strong communication skills in the English language. Furthermore, children who are bilingual have a much more developed prefrontal cortex system and cognitive skills, but without a proper education program, children can fall behind the curve and it can negatively affect them in them long run.

Works Cited "Bilingual Education." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection , Gale, 2018. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints , link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3021900021/OVIC? u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=83ab6e63. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Brisk, María Estela. "Bilingual Education Is Necessary." Interracial America , edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints , link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010681248/OVIC? u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=0c34dda1. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Originally published in Bilingual Education: From Compensatory to Quality Schooling , Taylor & Francis Company, 2006, pp. 199-213. Collins, Greg. "Bilingual Education Does Not Help Students." Should the United States Be Multilingual? , edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints , link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010742209/OVIC? u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=5499ac00. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Originally published as "Bilingual Consequences," Massachusetts Daily Collegian , 5 Apr. 2007. Izadi, Elahe. "Bilingualism Can Help Close Learning Gaps for Immigrant Students." Bilingual Education , edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints , link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010256229/OVIC? u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=dc590dfe. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Originally published in National Journal , 30 Apr. 2014. "There Are Benefits to the Brain from Growing Up Bilingual." Bilingual Education , edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints ,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010256239/OVIC?u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark- OVIC&xid=5b1b7aef. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Originally published as "Bilingual Brains —Smarter & Faster," Psychology Today , 22 Nov. 2012. Unz, Ron. "California's Ban on Bilingual Education Helped Immigrant Children." Bilingual Education , edited by Noël Merino, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints , link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010256232/OVIC? u=sunyfredonia&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=97a040c3. Accessed 21 Sept. 2021. Originally published as "California Republicans Vote to Restore 'Bilingual Education,'," Unz Review: An Alternative Media Selection , 7 May 2014.

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