Why Bilingualism Is a Superpower!

How is it that you stay at home, but your four-year-old doesn’t speak Hindi?” This remark from a random well-meaning Aunty – in Indian culture, “aunty” refers to any older woman – still haunts me. After the initial indignation wore off, I contemplated why this was the case. Why was it that even though both my husband and I were bilingual, I mainly spoke English at home? Had I missed the boat on teaching my child our heritage language?

As a third-culture child (I was born in Kuwait to parents of Indian descent and later immigrated to the United States), English was my mother tongue. It came more naturally to me than Hindi, which was only spoken at home. After I became a parent, I started on a journey of self-exploration and several years of research to understand the complexities within bilingual families. It was a while before I put my kids, now ten and thirteen, on the right course of being open to and learning our heritage language of Hindi, as well as Spanish, a language introduced to my son in middle school.

Advantages of Bilingualism

Bilingualism, or multilingualism, is speaking and understanding more than one language. I am fluent in Hindi and English and can understand a few languages from North India. Most of the people in my circle – many of whom are immigrants themselves or first-generation Americans – are multilingual. Many of them are also on the path to teaching their children their native or heritage language.

For kids especially, bilingualism can be a superpower and a bridge to one’s heritage. Here are some of the key advantages of knowing more than one language:

• Academic Benefits Bilingual students who are working on their language skills perform better in reading and on standardized tests, as they quickly understand grammar and language structure nuances.
• Multitasking The ability to switch between languages naturally, commonly called code-switching, allows for multitasking on a cognitive level. Focus is also enhanced as children work to shift between thoughts or translate a language instantly to perform a task.
• Mental Agility Bilinguals tend to have better memory retention and recall. They are often more adept at noticing and filtering irrelevant information, focusing instead on problem-solving requirements.
• Social Connections People who speak multiple languages understand social context within their own and other heritages. This provides them with a broader understanding of cultural cues and differences. In peer groups, people who speak the same language form an instant connection. They also tend to have more empathy for challenges in one’s cultural identity.
• Career Development Bilingual individuals have expanded job opportunities. Tourism, translation, business, international trade, and diplomacy are just a few of the options. Also, people who speak more than one language earn 5 to 20 percent more on average than those who don’t.

Language Immersion for Children

With so many benefits to bilingualism, it is not surprising that more parents are encouraging their children to learn new languages, and schools are realizing the importance of bilingualism. Not only are school-age children the fabric and foundation of tomorrow’s workforce, they also will raise the next generation and care for us as we age.

Vivian Rivera-Maysonet, a teacher at Elizabeth Scott Elementary School in Chesterfield County, understands the value of bilingualism in today’s world. A teacher for more than twenty years, Rivera-Maysonet previously taught English in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States in 2017 after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. She joined the faculty of Elizabeth Scott Elementary in 2020, was named Chesterfield County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2022, and was selected as the 2024 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Bilingual Education.

Rivera-Maysonet says the system at Elizabeth Scott Elementary – the only Chesterfield County elementary school to offer Spanish dual language immersion – is ground-breaking. It provides native speakers and language learners with the comfort of learning basic concepts in two languages, giving them the space to practice their skills and feel accepted.
Many of the school’s students are from Central America and Mexico, and thus, culture from home frequently comes into the education picture. Rivera-Maysonet has been recognized as a top educator partly because of her efforts to learn more about her students’ community and culture.

“It’s important to understand the ground knowledge and what makes the children and their families tick,” says Rivera-Maysonet.

According to Rivera-Maysonet, the parents’ role in Spanish immersion learning is a family-forward approach. “It’s important to engage the parents to get to the children – knowing your audience and what moves them and helping them acknowledge the power of bilingualism,” says Rivera-Maysonet. “It is the only way toward a better world.”

Language Learning Tips for Parents

As a volunteer Hindi teacher and author/editor of multiple bilingual books, I have researched strategies to teach children their heritage language or a new language. I tell my students – many of whom are also working to master English – that anyone at any age who is courageous enough to express themselves freely and, more importantly, build a life in a country that is not their own should be admired, especially in a country like ours.

Years of teaching have provided me with valuable insight into the challenges of multilingual families, especially those with family members of any age trying to learn a new language.

Here are a few tips:

• Immerse yourself in the language. Practice every chance you get. If you are fluent, speak in the language as much as you can to the child and encourage them to do the same. Don’t worry that your child will not learn English – they will. According to Rivera-Maysonet, immersion in school (and with friends) will take care of that aspect of bilingualism, as their friends and educators help. “Use your body, body language, and vocabulary to emphasize the audiovisual and audio-lingual context of the language,” says Rivera-Maysonet, the top language educator in the nation.
• Watch media and read books in the target language. Watching shows with subtitles is a great way to get cultural context for the language you are trying to learn or teach. Look at top reading lists in the target language, or search online for book lists by age. Make up stories with already learned words mixed with English words your kids know.
• Create practice opportunities. Create situations where the child needs to speak in the language they are learning. Build a community outside of school or travel to areas of the country or the home country (if you are able) where the language is spoken. Plan a playdate to practice speaking. Celebrate holidays with friends and attend local regional festivals to foster the space for language immersion and practice.
• Let kids struggle. The most significant deterrent to language learning is the embarrassment of getting it wrong or not knowing the words. Often, kids stop speaking in a second language because they are conscious of how they sound. Let kids know it is okay to get words wrong and try to be open about your own struggles with learning new skills.
• Use skill-based learning for practice. Use instructions in the target language while working on a skill or chore, such as cooking, woodworking, dancing, or crafting. This is a great way to get consistent practice and learn new words simultaneously.
• Appreciate all progress, irrespective of errors. Rivera-Maysonet stresses that when it comes to language learning, families need to celebrate any and all efforts. “When a student can communicate the message effectively, grammar is secondary,” says Rivera-Maysonet. “It’s not fair to judge a second language in terms of syntax or pronunciation.”

Being Inclusive of Bilinguals

The United States is a tapestry of interwoven cultures and languages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people in the U.S. communicate in more than 350 languages. Other than English, some of the most widely spoken languages are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Worldwide, English is the most commonly spoken language, followed by Mandarin, Hindi, and Spanish.

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, nearly 21 percent of the U.S. population, or 63 million citizens, are bilingual. This phenomenon represents a near doubling of the percentage of bilinguals in the U.S. since 1980, when it was just under 11 percent. Compared to the world, the U.S. falls near the middle of the pack regarding the percentage of its population using a second language daily, with 23 percent of the population identifying as bilingual.

Despite the number of languages spoken, many bilingual adults and children face racism or judgment because of their accents or pronunciation of words in English. In some cases, simply speaking phrases from their language in daily conversations can result in microaggressions. As a writing coach for students from diverse backgrounds, I have read essays from teens and tweens exploring some of these challenges.

Here are ways we all can create inclusive spaces for our children, friends, and colleagues:

• Avoid judgment of people using different languages. I see it happen often when non-English speakers switch to a different language based on conversational settings or socio-cultural norms. This practice, while seemingly non-inclusive to some, is more out of habit and a need to connect in a place where one does not often feel like one belongs. It’s more like a reflexive reaction to find common ground. As English speakers, show grace to these people and try to be part of the conversation with open-ended questions.
• Avoid assumptions. Whenever I publish a book in English, people often comment on social media that it’s “wonderful” or “cute” that I am writing books. While it may not look like it or sound like it to some people, English is my first language. Code-switching between Hindi and English comes naturally for me. Be mindful of stereotypes and treat each bilingual or multilingual person as unique, as there is no one way to communicate.
• Understand context. Often, people from English-speaking countries are not aware that even within Spanish or Hindi-speaking countries, words, slang, and phrases sound different. Make space for the context of the country, its languages, and dialects. If interested, have an open conversation about where someone was born or their cultural heritage.
• Value their skills. Appreciate the advantages a multilingual person brings to the table with their cognitive skills and mental prowess, and provide them with opportunities to practice their skills.
• Keep communication simple. For those who may not have English as their first language, create a space for questions and clarity in classrooms and social activities regarding phrases stemming from pop culture that are unknown to others.
• Educate yourself. Understand the many benefits and challenges of bilingualism. Talk to kids about how to empathize with people speaking multiple languages, especially those from a different country, and the challenges they face like language fatigue, exclusion, judgment, etc.

Creating Inclusive Communities

As children grow older, the opportunities for conversation decrease and identity conflict increases, especially in classrooms where the majority of instruction is delivered in one language. My time spent working with parents and bilingual educators around the world gives me unique insight. Schools need to create inclusive spaces and encourage children and adults to be more open to language learning.

With opportunities to practice their heritage language, display their culture, or see glimpses of themselves in celebrations, children are more likely to be confident in their bilingual identity and feel accepted. Encourage bilingual students to share their cultures and/or perspectives on topics that may be influenced by their unique heritage.

In education, it’s important to recognize language barriers and offer support, such as tutoring or language assistance programs to students, especially in higher education. Create group activities for kids from different linguistic backgrounds.

Each of us should strive to avoid interrupting or finishing sentences for those who may be struggling to speak. Be mindful that the same language can sound different in every home. As Rivera emphasizes, “There are twenty-one Spanish-speaking countries. The world speaks Spanish, and yet, no Spanish is the same.”

Language policies and societal attitudes toward bilingualism vary widely, influencing how multilinguals of all ages are perceived and supported. Understanding the global impact of language learning and speaking is more important than ever. Ultimately, languages connect cultures and families. Let’s work to strengthen those connections!