EDU5BLE Bilingualism and Language Education

Currently, in the world there are many languages spoken, these languages stem from different cultures and ethnicities. Moreover, a person can speak many languages at a time and also with proper fluency. The person who can speak more than one language is called bilingualism and multilingualism. The Annotated bibliography asked us to provide summaries of different bilingualism and multilingualism texts that can be taken from any journal articles, books and peer-reviewed articles. Most of the authors used bilingualism and multilingualism as synonyms whereas a couple of them stated the difference between the two. After completing the assignment, I think multilingualism and bilingualism are different. The former means speaking more than two languages whereas the latter means speaking only two languages. I address myself as a bilingual individual, I can speak two languages only which are Arabic (mother tongue) and English (secondary language). Few of the authors mentioned in the bibliography used other concepts like monolinguals, how are bilinguals and multilingual have an upper hand over them (for example Kharkhurin, 2010; Banda, 2010; Chibaka, 2018). There are very few people around the world who speak only one language, many of the bilinguals or multilingual commonly speak their mother tongue and English as their second language. From the literature, there are many theories that I agree like the fact that it is important for a person to learn new languages to adapt to different cultures, is helpful in migrating to a different country, and helps in connecting to different individuals (Drobot, 2017). The author also signified how speaking multiple languages can help the nation politically, he provides a study of different dimensions of bilingualism and multilingualism.

Moreover, when learning another language many individuals start to converse in that language only and sometimes forget their native language. This happened in the Netherlands, this country was known as multicultural and multilinguistic. There are many individuals residing in this country belonging from different ethnicities however, due to the adaptation of English language, the new generation only speak English. The new generation also speak English with their children rather than their native language (Barwell, Barton & Setati, 2017). The language policy can also make an impact on the educational institutions, in Cape Town there are people who are monolinguals as well as bilinguals. However, the bilingual students are hard to teach for a monolinguistic teacher and the policy of the country is also related to a monolinguistic approach that need changes. The classroom setting also has a monolinguistic strategy that need alteration (Banda, 2010). Being a multilinguistic or a bilingual individual can have an impact on society and the environment. There are also some benefits to be a bilingual or a multilinguistic individual that are communication can be done easily with others, political and economical advantages as well as educational benefits (Chibaka, 2010).

Through the Annotated bibliography, it has been signified that it is really beneficial for individuals to learn more than one language. When I consider myself as bilingual, I think that yes, it is advantageous for me to be in an unknown city where I can connect with people through speaking their language. I feel through learning a new language you can easily adjust to a new country’s lifestyle, standard and their culture. However, it can impact a person’s own culture and language, when the person visits h/her native country, h/she won’t be able to connect with h/her acquaintances. That person would prefer the life of the new country rather than h/her native country. Learning more than one language can help nations politically and economically. The head of the country can adapt to different techniques implemented by other heads of countries through observing them and having good relations with those countries. This can help the former country to evolve and develop itself. In my country, most of the people are monolinguistic which is why they are unable to adapt to different cultures when they go to study abroad or migrate to other countries for a better lifestyle. A bilingual or a multilingual have the tendency to communicate and interact easily with others belonging to different ethnicities. I would recommend that everyone should at least learn two languages in their lives.

References:

Banda, F. (2010). Defying monolingual education: alternative bilingual discourse practices in selected coloured schools in Cape Town. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 31(3), 221–235. doi:10.1080/01434631003658073

Barwell, R., Barton, B., & Setati, M. (2007). Multilingual issues in mathematics education: introduction. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 64(2), 113-119.

Chibaka, E. F. (2018). Advantages of Bilingualism and Multilingualism: Multidimensional Research Findings. Multilingualism and Bilingualism, 15

Drobot, I. A. (2017). Aspects and Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multilingualism in Europe. In Multilingualism and Bilingualism.

Kharkhurin, A. V. (2010). Sociocultural differences in the relationship between bilingualism and creative potential. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 41(5-6), 776-783.