Bilingual Education
We can’t say that bilingual children are “smarter,” but we do know that bilingualism impacts the areas of the brain that are directly linked to higher intelligence. The benefits are profound and lifelong.
Benefits of Dual-Language Learning:
Learning in Dual-Language Programs has been directly linked to measures of higher intelligence.
Learning in immersion classrooms improves executive functioning by increasing attention and spatial awareness, as well as improving students’ ability to discern meaning and to build better memory capacity.
Recent studies show that students enrolled in six-year dual-language programs have been more academically successful in English literacy, math, and science than their monolingual peers. This is true even for students for whom Chinese is the language used primarily at home.
Bilingual people have lower risks of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in their later years. Immersion in dual language classrooms also improves a cognitive reserve that will last a lifetime.
The dual-language immersion program at IFS is built around the strongest language acquisition methodologies:
Students are taught literacy and content in two languages - Mandarin and English - with Mandarin being the dominant language until 2nd grade.
The immersion program begins in the toddler program and continues through 4th grade.
We envision young adults who can comfortably and confidently switch between languages and cultures, effectively communicating with diverse audiences.
Dual-language research is ample and descriptive.
Here are several useful websites with information on Chinese Language Immersion and the benefits of Bilingual Education:
Asia Society CELIN - Chinese Early Learning Information Network
Mandarin Immersion Parents Council
NPR - Six Potential Brain Benefits of Bilingual Education