What are the advantages of my child becoming bilingual?

          There are many advantages and very few disadvantages in becoming bilingual. Where parents have differing first languages, the advantages of children becoming bilingual is that they will be able to communicate in each parent's preferred language. Alternatively, they will be able to communicate with parents in one language and with their friends and in the community in a different language. A child who speaks to one parent in one language and the other parent in another language may be enabling a maximally close relationship with the parents. At the same time, both parents are passing to that child part of their past, part of their heritage. A bilingual has the chance of communicating with a wider variety of people than a monolingual. Being a bilingual enables a person to bridge between cultures. Another communication advantage of bilinguals is when they are literate in two languages (biliterate). They can then access two literatures, opening up different traditions, ideas, ways of thinking and acting. One of the advantages of a bilingual child and adult is having two or more worlds of experience. Apart from social, cultural, economic, personal relationship and communication advantages, research has shown that bilinguals have the chance of particular advantages in thinking. Bilinguals may be able to think more fluently, flexibly and creatively. There are potential economic advantages of being bilingual. A person with two languages may have a wider portfolio of jobs available in the future.

The advantages of Being Bilingual

Some of the potential advantages of bilingualism and bilingual education currently publicized are: Communication Advantages           1. Wider communication ( extended family, community, international links, employment ).           2. Literacy in two languages. Cultural Advantages           3. Broader enculturation, a deeper multiculturalism, and two 'language world' of experience.           4. Greater tolerance and less racism. Cognitive Advantages           5. Thinking benefits ( creativity, sensitivity to communication ). Character Advantages           6. Raised self-esteem.           7. Security in identity. Curriculum Advantages           8. Increased curriculum achievement.           9. Easier to learn a third language. Cash Advantages           10. Economic and employment benefits.

SOURCE : A PARENTS' AND TEACHERS' GUIDE TO BILINGUALISM