Benefits of Dual-Language Education Programs

Learning a new language can be challenging, especially if you’re just taking once-a-week lessons or diving right in. Children have an easier time learning new languages than adults, so it’s beneficial to allow children to learn languages side-by-side at an early age. Aside from language skills, dual-language programs enhance overall cognitive development and cultural awareness. Here are some of the many benefits of dual-language education.

Ability to Focus

Children learning to be bilingual must be able to actively switch their brains between one language and another depending on their environment. This improves their ability to focus in the long term, as well as their ability to switch from one task to another.

Empathy for Others

Being raised bilingual gives children more awareness of their environment, partly because they need to know which language they need to speak. This raised level of awareness can help with social and emotional development. In dual-language classes, there is often a culture component on top of the language element. If a student learns Spanish, for example, he’ll likely learn about different regions around the world where Spanish is the main language and what makes those regions unique. Learning about different cultures at a young age helps children understand the similarities between themselves and other people groups.

Stronger Identity

For non-English speaking students, those who learn in their native language have an easier time staying connected with a cultural identity. This boosts their self-esteem because they’re not forced to speak, write and learn in an unfamiliar language all the time. It’s empowering to allow students to strengthen their understanding of their native language while developing a voice in a second language such as English.

Improved Communication and Problem-Solving

The cognitive benefits of dual language programs help children in many ways throughout their lives, from communication and problem solving to overall memory. These skills don’t just affect them in school; they have lasting impacts on their future careers. Mastering two languages at once helps children understand how language works and be able to express themselves in new ways. Being able to confidently speak in at least two languages also helps with public speaking and meeting new people.

St. John Vianney 

In 2017, St. John Vianney Catholic School became the first dual language school in the Diocese of Orlando. Since then, this school has established a dual language community focused on spiritual formation and academic excellence. Inspired by the call “To Teach as Jesus Did,” this school treats each student as a unique child of God while fully immersing them in the English and Spanish languages.

For more than 50 years, the Diocese of Orlando, which includes the top Orlando private schools, has been helping children grow to their fullest potential and become leaders within their communities. We offer unique and dynamic learning environments that engage students and encourage them to become confident and responsible adults. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us today.