Lilian Loh

Professor Morgan

English 1302

2018 March 02

Persuasive Essay: Why Multilingual Education Is Needed

With the advent of the Internet and other technological applications, today’s world is now

more interconnected than it has ever been before. In fact, the Internet is still considered as a

recent invention; it was not until the 2000s that the Internet became stably established. When

comparing the connections people cultivated a decade ago to the present, the difference is

distinct. A decade ago, the world would be described as a “village,” where people only knew

those in proximity to them. In contrast, today’s world can be described as a “global village,”

where people now can connect with anyone as long as they have an electronic device and the

Internet. This ease of connectivity allows communication with those who may be in a different

country or state, despite some difference in time zone. The global village we live in today not

only allows communication over long distances, but also provides access to learning about the

unique cultures and languages around the world. Therefore, multilingual education is essential in

today’s unified world due to the enormous benefits it provides for one’s personal growth as an

individual.

When one immerses oneself into a language, he will procure various cognitive

advantages such as “increased mental flexibility, more efficient use of the brain, higher
willingness to learn a third language, [and] perform higher on verbal standardized tests,” (Why

Bilingual and Multilingual Education). Learning a different language means learning a new way

to communicate. When doing so, the brain creates newfound neural pathways that skyrocket

one’s intellectual capabilities. Constructing brand new neural connections in addition to a stable

neural connection from an already learned language can only enhance one’s cognition.

In addition, study of a second language leads to increased emotional wellbeing. One will

be able to better build “self-esteem, creativity, problem-solving skills, and math abilities. [They

will also better maintain] a strong sense of their own identity,” (Why Bilingual and Multilingual

Education). They even benefit in real-world job prospects as “individuals proficient in multiple

languages and cultures have more opportunities,” (Why Bilingual and Multilingual Education).

When extensively studying languages, one can notice that although languages sound different,

they all share the same components: nouns, names, verb, greetings, and more. Starting from the

root of these concepts, one will able to branch out to the ease of other language learning by

recognizing the patterns and actively applying them when practicing the language. Therefore,

language learning stimulates the pattern-recognizing aspect of the brain, in turn enhancing

problem solving and logic abilities. Learning a new language also helps one discover more about

oneself. When delving into new cultures, one may find various cultural values to surprisingly

resonate with their character, thus enhancing their sense of identity.

Although some may view a second language as another skill, learning a second language

also equates to learning of culture. With learning a new language, one becomes “immersed in the

culture of countries and communities around the world,” (Why Bilingual and Multilingual

Education). The procurement of a new language enables one to communicate to those of unique
backgrounds and heritages, thereby granting one to become more culturally educated. True

understanding of another culture starts by learning their language, simply because knowing the

language overcomes the communication barrier, creating meaningful relations and mutual

understanding. Thus, in today’s world, multilingual education is necessary due to the

unexchangeable gains towards one’s personal and emotional growth.

 Work Cited

International School of Denver. “Why Bilingual and Multilingual Education.”

https://www.isdenver.org/why-isd/why-bilingual-and-multicultural-education​.