The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Child Learning More Than One Language

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Child Learning More Than One Language

Learning a language is an essential part of a child’s growth process because it enables them to communicate with those around them and build relationships. One of the advantages of a child learning more than one language is improved cognitive functions. According to Wylie et al. (2012), the brain of a child learning two languages becomes more used to managing two languages simultaneously, thus promoting the development of better cognitive abilities, including better memory and inhibition, which is a cognitive mechanism that discards irrelevant stimuli. Children learning more than one language also develop the ability to multitask and pay attention for a more extended period than those learning one language. Our assignment writing help is at affordable prices to students of all academic levels and academic disciplines.

One of the main disadvantages is a delay in speaking. According to Janabi et al. (2020), a child learning more than one language may have weak verbal skills because two languages are constantly active in their brains, hence requiring a longer time to process information. Learning more than one language may also take time because the child learns twice the amount of words learned by other children, hence delaying speech. Research conducted by Al-Amri (2013) indicated that children learning more than one language might have a three to six-month delay in speech development compared to children learning one language. Another disadvantage is poor personality development, particularly when there are unfavorable conditions. Al-Amri (2013) argues that a bilingual child brought up in an environment with cultural and social conflicts due to being a member of an ethnic minority whose cultural values and language are not appreciated may develop a negative perception towards people of the ethnic majority, thus influencing personality development. However, personality may change in adulthood due to adaptation to a hostile environment and better cultural awareness.

References

Al-Amri, M. (2013). Effects of Bilingualism on Personality, Cognitive and Educational Developments: A Historical Perspective. American Academic & Scholarly Research Journal, 5(1).

Janabi, M., Purcell, A., Duursma, E., Bochane, M., & Bogaardt, H. (2020). Analyzing language exposure and its consequences on bilingual development in dutch–english-speaking children in Australia. Journal of Monolingual and Bilingual Speech, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1558/jmbs.17243

Wylie, J., Brennan-Wilson, A., & Mulhern, G. (2012). Cognitive development in low and typically achieving monolingual and bilingual children. PsycEXTRA Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1037/e667142012-001

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Child Learning More Than One Language

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a child learning more than one language