The Village School represents over 90 nationalities and many students are bilingual, trilingual, or even polylingual. The diverse students and faculty create a learning environment where language and culture mix with learning. These multilingual experiences encourage students to become global citizens. The Village School acknowledges the importance of learning a language through their world languages curriculum. Taking a second language for at least two years is a graduation requirement but why else is learning a language important?
From a neurological standpoint, learning a language leads to structural changes in the brain which alters the way information is stored and processed. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity and directly forms additional connections between parts of your brain changing its structure. Scientists have found that native languages are generally stored in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically the Broca’s area. Learning a new language, however, forces interactions between different hemispheres of the brain. This creates extra connections and pathways. The outcome of this is a higher volume of grey matter in bilingual people. Grey matter is where the cell bodies of neurons are located. Grey matter is linked with various cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving. Research has also shown that a higher concentration of grey matter can delay symptoms of dementia.
Learning another language also has many academic advantages. For students, knowing multiple languages improves memory and multitasking ability. Additionally, 90% of studies from the University of Cambridge found that language learners perform better across various subjects compared to non-language learners. This is specifically true for reading and writing. On a more social viewpoint, being multilingual increases creativity and problem-solving as well as communication skills. Learning a new language also exposes the learner to the native culture of that country and its customs. This helps create a broader cultural awareness and respect for culture. “To me, the language is a package.” Asmaa Alaoui the world languages department head at The Village School said, “You have the speaking, the listening, the reading, but beyond that, there is the cultural dimension.” The key to being fluent in a language is understanding the culture surrounding it and immersing yourself in it.
Learning a language is not easy. The time and determination needed are often an aspect that causes many language learners to give up. According to a survey by FluentU, 64% of language learners experienced a ‘learning slump’ at some point due to a loss of motivation. Additionally, learning a language takes time and persistence. For those who already know multiple languages, it can become hard to balance all these languages at once. This can cause the brain to become overwhelmed causing interference between languages. “I used to struggle a lot learning Spanish because my brain would get confused between sounds,” bilingual sophomore Saanj Mehta said, “but learning how to make connections between Gujarati and Spanish made it a lot easier.” Despite these challenges, there are some ways to make learning a new language more manageable. Practicing a little every day will help learners retain more information in the long run. Learning about the culture of the country can also serve as a fun way to study the language. Additionally, listening to the language through movies or podcasts can help the learner pick up everyday expressions. Combining these techniques makes learning a language more enjoyable and long- lasting despite its challenges.
Many students at The Village School travel abroad for vacations or would like to experience different countries later in life. Learning a language can help create a more inclusive and open-minded mindset for the community and the future. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected due to cultural exchange and global trade. The ability to speak multiple languages offers students more opportunities in the future and sets them up for success in a global society. In a time where cultures are interacting more than ever, speaking multiple languages allows The Village School student body to build stronger connections with peers, teachers, and others to better understand the world around them. Whether it’s for cognitive benefits, academic success, or personal growth, speaking multiple languages is a valuable skill that aligns with a more globalized society.
References
https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/
https://dana.org/resources/how-does-the-brain-learn-language/
https://unbabel.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-learn-a-new-language/
https://www.lingomelo.com/blog/language-learning-statistics/
