Reflection on identity, language, and culture
Learning a second language is not only about syntax. It transcends linguistics, opening minds to consider diverse perspectives, forming cultural connections, and fostering critical thinking and global citizenship. Today, most of the world’s population experience life through more than one language. It is essential to emphasize second language learning as a means of expression that oversteps boundaries and provides fulfilling, authentic experiences. Taking French outside the classroom during our trip to France in early March served precisely that purpose. Your experience with a grumpy Parisian server will be different if you can order un café s’il vous plaît. Being culturally aware, you would also avoid the disappointment of only getting a shot of espresso.
Many of our students can speak a language other than English at home, which is a true reflection of our world. Being one of the few officially bilingual countries in the world, Canada is distinctively positioned to offer privileged access to bilingualism. I always tell my students how lucky they are to spread both peanut butter and beurre de cacahuètes from the same jar on their toast. The increased career opportunities this beurre de cacahuètes provides in Canada add to the social and affective benefits of learning a second language.
Extensive research on second language acquisition has highlighted its cognitive (thinking, reasoning, remembering) benefits. Tangible advantages in executive functions—a regulatory system that controls processes such as attention and inhibition—include better processing of information in the environment, leading to more precise signals for learning. Bilingual people have a higher ability to focus on new words while limiting the interference of existing language knowledge. This benefit explains why it is easier for bilingual individuals to learn a third language than for monolingual people to learn a second one. Studies also show that bilingual youths better adjust to environmental changes and have more robust task-switching capacities. Another benefit of second language study is the transfer of skills from one language to another. Early and sustained second language study positively develops literacy and communicative skills in the native language. In addition, researchers have related the benefits of foreign language skills to academic achievement and employability beyond the bilingual context of Canada.
The benefits of learning a second language transfer into older adulthood. People who learn a second language later in life experience less cognitive decline in their senior years.
It’s never too late!
