Hind Louali Talks About the Benefits of Language Immersion and Bilingualism
Language immersion is a popular and widely accepted method of teaching students a second language. In this method, the language being taught is primarily used during teaching. For a good part of the day, the students spend time learning, hearing, and speaking in a language other than their native tongue. As per Hind Louali, while this activity may seem to be too demanding or complex for kids, learning a second language comes more naturally the younger the child is. Many studies have suggested that second language immersion has a major positive impact on young minds.
Hind Louali provides a good understanding of the advantageous aspects of language immersion and bilingualism
Immersion teaching is known to offer the optimal framework for authentic actions and situations. It tends to be among the most natural way for children to learn languages. They can learn intuitively, without the rigid learning of grammar and vocabulary. Much like muscles, the brain also functions better with exercise. Learning a second language can be a great way to train the brain of a child and improve their cognitive abilities. It can also improve their memory, which is integral for faring well in exams and improving quality of life.
In many instances, the immersion method facilitates a greater level of foreign language learning to be achieved in comparison to conventional foreign language teaching. This method is well-suited for kids, as they are able to immerse themselves in the new language by means of facial expressions and gestures, and soak up all the knowledge like a sponge. Being bilingual additionally can help kids to demonstrate better academic gains in the long run. Many students who take part in dual-language immersion programs ultimately end up becoming proficient in both languages. They get the chance to achieve true bi-literacy in French and English.
According to Hind Louali, immersing and instructing students in a second language offers an efficient vehicle to learn how to speak, write and read in two languages fluently at a young age. It allows these kids to develop their cultural literacy, alongside enhanced cognitive skills. Dr. Louali is the founder of Ecole Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French immersion school in Austin, Texas, and hence has a good understanding of the benefits of this approach.
Language Immersion students majorly benefit from the ability to communicate with people from varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds. They very often experience academic achievement at or above their single-language peers, due to better mental flexibility, nonverbal problem-solving abilities, as well as enhanced critical thinking skills.
A large number of people show increased activation in the brain region linked with cognitive skill, according to studies. These skills include aspects like inhibition and concentration. Moreover, bilingual individuals have greater odds of being better listeners than single language individuals. They also have greater possibilities of understanding what people are saying in noisy environments. Regardless of the age of a person, by enrolling in a language immersion program, they can benefit from greater attention to detail. People who pursue a second language often can process information a lot more efficiently, which reduces interference from unrelated sources.