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Bilingualism = greater brain power?

19 replies

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 18:32

This should be interesting to all those bringing their children up bilingually!! brain power

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Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 18:55

wahey!!!!! thanks for that GRMUM, I needed something to feel good about today!

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 18:58

Glad to be of help Frenchgirl!! I think that bilingual kids learn additional languages more easily too.

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Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 19:04

true, I have noticed that dd is very interested in extra languages and picks up words very easily as well. If only schools here were better at introducing languages early, and doing more of them.....

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MrsBigD · 03/11/2004 19:08

yippieh! we're bringing up a bunch of geniuses or is it genii?

I also think schools should encourage foreign languages early on. I actually started English (mother tongue is German) age 8 in primary with no exam pressure etc. was crap at it though at later stages... just didn't have the feel for it, but then again they did jam Latin down our throats... very useful to learn a language nobody speaks!

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 19:09

Are you in UK? I am in Greece and they are very hot on languages here.Most children start english at 8 and a second foreign language at 10/11.

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Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 19:10

am in the UK yes, how old are your kids?

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 19:12

My kids are 15,14 and 10.

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Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 19:14

so waht languages do they speak, and how fluently?

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 19:19

Greek and english as native speakers. ds1 has got his DELF in french ,dd should finish her DELF next summer and then is really keen to start spanish. (Am thinking of doing spanish myself too) Youngest at the moment only English and Greek. The ds1 and dd also do ancient greek at school (which they hate) its like another foreign language.(compulsory at secondary school)

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Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 19:20

sounds great!!! Did they ever rebel against one language?

GRMUM · 03/11/2004 20:56

Sorry was away getting supper and things... They both 'complain ' about french but I honestly think that it was only because not being a native language for them they actually had to sit down and learn things for french rather than just develop the english and greek they've grown up with. Does that make sense?

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lydialemon · 03/11/2004 21:04

My kids are geniuses (geneii?) anyway, nice to see we're adding to it

Hausfrau · 03/11/2004 21:14

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fran1 · 03/11/2004 21:16

Its true!!

I did a dissertation on bilingualism, and all the reading, research and surveys i did proved the point.

Children who are brought up by bilingual/multilingual parents develop a part of their brain (which we monolinguals!! don't). Due to the brain being able to "think" in one language whilst speak in another. This makes cognitive development and language learning in later life easier for bilinguals.

This is not true for children who are taught a second language from a young age in classes. (i'm talking 3 - 6yrs here). Because of the limited amount of time they will hear the second language, and no family to practice the language with, it just doesn't have the same impact, and can possibly cause only confusion.(not harmful, but also not worth while until the child is older and already established in his/her own language).

I did this research about four years ago, and those were my findings. Sadly i have not continued so am unaware of any new developments in the research area.

But all round i think its looking pretty good for your children!! I am very envious, wish i had such a wonderful skill to pass on to my dd.

Fran1

pupuce · 03/11/2004 21:40

I have always suspected this was the case when I look at my kids.... you can see they are processing things... i can't explain it.
That doesn't mean that they will be more clever IMO but I think it does mean they can exercise their brain faster and with more agility.

Frenchgirl · 03/11/2004 22:26

very interesting GRMUM (and everyone). I do wonder how dd would cope with learning another language that's not spoken at home.....
night night!

Tanzie · 03/11/2004 22:50

All the ladies on the tills and stacking shelves in my local supermarket speak three languages fluently. So if this is true, would they not be doing something more "brainy"?

Fran1 · 03/11/2004 23:14

LOL

Doesn't mean to say every bilingual is brainy, but during childhood (when brain learns the most) a child with a capability to follow two or more languages, is also likely to have larger brain capacity when it comes to cognitive development.

Obviously they need the stimulation and activities to assist!

cardigan · 03/11/2004 23:23

but Tanzie - if the locals all speak 3 langs then this is just the norm. Bet those shelves are stacked perfectly!

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