Argumentative Essay

Being bilingual makes you smarter

Bilingualism is defined as the ability to use two languages in a correct form (understanding, speaking and keep learning). Searching for information about this topic, there are many articles that explain the benefits and the crucial importance of this skill and as the explanation about the problems or disadvantages that being a bilingual person can take. Being bilingual improves your cognitive, social skills, and even increase your mental health. Hence, have this ability increased, makes you smarter.

Being bilingual improves your cognitive skills. Bilingual people are quicker at resolving different tasks, because they workout their brain often by changing from one language to another. Studies suggest that bilingual people train a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks. A part of the brain, which is called “the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex” is in charge of the executive function (as it was mentioned earlier) whose can increase the complexity of the mind, doing notorious changes as translating faster, understand better and an instant emotional reaction. The cognitive skills in bilingual people, according to the “Critical Period Hypothesis” theory, develops better from birth to three years old, because of the flexibility of its brain (learning to talk two languages instead just one it is not a problem for children), and the use of the two hemispheres for bilingualism. But a grown-up person can also being bilingual just using the left hemisphere, which is in charge of the logical part of the brain, without involve the emotional part. There are different types of bilinguals; the first one is called “compound bilingual” which is in the first kind of age (birth to three years old) who expresses both codes simultaneously. The second is called “coordinate bilingual” and is who expresses it bilingualism just learning the other language, but using the native one daily (an example is a teenager learning at school). And the last one, is in adult age, which is called “subordinate bilingual” (here, the pronunciation is different as it is used to be).

Different language’s knowledge increase the possibilities of communication. This is also related with their social skills which are better than monolingual students because they are better at communication. This is because bilingual children have social experiences like wrong understanding, so they consider the perspective of others. An intuitive sense, we might say. They have to think about who speaks which language to whom, who understands what content, and the times and places in which different languages are spoken. Interpreting someone’s utterance often requires paying attention not only to the context, but also the surrounding content. Bilingual students have a facility in adopting another’s perspective and have already understood the importance of it. Multilingual exposure also develops this ability in students, they get ahead on what the other person may understand.

A shield from mental problems as dementia. The higher the degree of bilingualism (more neurological activity use), the later the age of had dementia or Alzheimer. There have been many articles whose explain the power of the bilingualism and the delay in mental diseases. It is estimated that being bilingual makes a person delay this problems for at least five years. A big difference between a bilingual and a monolingual is that a bilingual person keeps its mind busy and working the double, because the translate and understanding is automatic for the context the bilingual belongs. "We would probably refer to most of these cognitive advantages as multi-tasking," said Judith Kroll, psychologist at Penn State University. "Bilinguals seem to be better at this type of perspective-taking."

In conclusion, bilingual people have more advantages than disadvantages; in contrast, the benefits for to know more than one language can make a big difference in the neurological area, as a better health of it, delaying diseases. Also, it expand the possibilities to success in different places, and the communication with other people around the world. Bilingualism provides various functionalities and advantages for the speaker who possesses the knowledge of two languages. The advantages not only refer to a plan of mental development and health benefits, but also a professional and personal development. It is well known that knowing another language is key when applying for jobs of any category, however, to master a language other than the native language, is usually the key that opens the door to better jobs, promotions or the possibility of having better opportunities employment. Now although being a bilingual speaker represents having competitive advantages in the labor market, it is not a condition that is achieved very easily, since to dominate another language apart from the native is, undoubtedly, a challenge. And it is not easy or quick to learn to speak another language, starting from the basis of learning and the dynamic rhythms of everyday life. Learning another language requires time, dedication that is reflected in constant study and, above all, practice.

By Pamela Erices and María Fernanda Pedreros

References

Salinas, H. (2010, October 4). Does your language shape how you think?. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29language-t.html

Jha, A. (2011, February 18). Being bilingual may delay Alzheimer’s and boost brain power. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/science/2011/feb/18/bilingual-alzheimers-brain-power-multitasking

Crosson, C. (2016, December 1) Why Bilinguals are smarter. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/01/learning/questions-for-why-bilinguals-are-smarter.html?mcubz=0