The modern world is diverse and multicultural. Today, people, who belong to different races and ethnic groups, learn how to live side by side in harmony.
Obviously, bilingual education is more important than ever before. It’s necessary to teach academic content in two languages: a native and second language to promote and maintain diversity. If you want to learn more about the real value of bilingual education, just keep reading.
Globalization
The globalization processes influence all aspects of human’s life. Whether you live in San Francisco, Bangkok, or Deli, it’s highly likely that you watch Hollywood movies and eat sushi. Today, people from all over the world have similar preferences in food, clothing, and entertainment.
But the fact is that some countries don’t like to accept all the rules set by the dominant cultures. They try to save their authenticity and traditions.
But let’s be frank. It’s impossible to resist the global changes completely. And it’s not a surprising fact that women in Guatemala still wear folk skirts, while most men wear jeans and T-shirts.
Bilingual education is the only right way to meet the requirements of the globalized world and to save local cultures. If local minorities study two languages simultaneously, it allows them to take the most advantage from the learning process.
Advanced technologies
Development of informational technology has changed everything. Today, people have the whole world at their fingertip. With the help of the mobile device and the internet, it’s possible to access tons of valuable content in a few clicks.
But the truth is that 90% of the world’s languages are not represented on the web. It means that people, who speak one of the rare languages, can’t take advantage of the new technologies. They can’t access to information, and they can’t study online.
This is one of the reasons why bilingual education is so valuable. People from the least developed countries should study both: native language and one of the widely-used languages such as English and Spanish. Undoubtedly, a new language is a key to discovering the digital world and gaining knowledge.
The rise of diversity
Racial and ethnical diversity is on the rise in developed and developing countries. Recent researched shows that the populations of big cities across all over the world are transforming from year to year. According to statistics, local communities become less homogeneous: the share of racial and ethnic minorities is continuously increasing.
It means that whether you like these changes or not, you should embrace them. You should make one step ahead and start studying a new language.
The point is that dominant national culture is not eligible to impose its identity on minorities on a local or international level. And being a modern, open-minded individual, you shouldn’t ask people in your community to speak your language. You should learn a foreign language to build a better relationship with the people around you.
Diversity and economic growth
According to scientific studies, high levels of diversity positively influence the national economy. It’s proved that a diverse population can adopt new technologies and ideas faster. Diversity makes the economy more flexible to external fluctuations.
The same happens in the business world. If a company is open to cultural diversity, it has more chances to succeed. As a rule, teams, which consist of employees with different backgrounds, are more innovative and creative. So, it’s not a surprise that most modern companies try to create a diverse workforce culture.
Do you dream of getting a job at an innovative company? Be ready to work with people who speak other languages and have values, attitudes, and beliefs that differ from yours.
“If you choose a bilingual education right now, it will be easier for you to join a multicultural team in the future. Knowledge of foreign language will help to smooth the communication process,” states Jeannette Acevedo-Isenberg, head of school for the Downtown Doral Charter Elementary School.
Mobility
A century ago, people were more attached to the place where they were born. They had no idea how life in other countries looks like.
They couldn’t see the difference between the standard of living in their country and the rest of the world. Only severe economic crises, political instability, and natural disasters could force them to leave their country.
Even more, people were not able to travel to other countries for legal, political, financial, and other reasons. Borders of many countries were closed.
Fortunately, everything has changed. Today, you can travel the world, and no one will stop you. You can live, work, and study abroad. You can enjoy all the benefits of a modern multicultural world.
Kimberley Black, an editor at WoWGrade.net, says: “The high population mobility boosts the importance of bilingual education. The more people move abroad, the more important to provide access to education in both languages: native and local.”
Wrapping it up
The importance of bilingual education is hard to overestimate. It helps to get the skills and knowledge necessary for living in a multicultural world. If you are thinking about learning a new language, don’t hesitate to make a try. It will open new opportunities and will help you to succeed in your personal and professional life.
