Language is a powerful tool for communicating your ideas to the world. As a multicultural country, the Emirates strongly emphasises bilingual education in schools. In today’s interconnected world, speaking more than one language can benefit you in academics and your career.
Scroll down to get a complete idea of the benefits of bilingual education in the UAE.
- Bilingual Education – A Quick Overview
- Benefits of Bilingual Education in the UAE
- Approaches to Bilingual Education in the UAE Schools
- Quick Tips to Help Your Child Learn Multiple Languages
- Interesting Facts About Bilingual Education
- FAQs
Bilingual Education – A Quick Overview
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. ~ Nelson Mandela.
Bilingual education means learning more than one language at a time. The Emirates is home to over 200 nationalities and this melting pot of cultures calls encourages diverse linguistics skills.
In the UAE, Arabic is the main language and is also the primary language in public schools. However, considering the need for English in personal and professional life, most private schools now offer diverse language studies. This helps students excel in a second language while mastering their first language.
Benefits of Bilingual Education in the UAE
In today’s fast-paced world, bilingual education gives you a competitive edge. Here is why you should learn a new language or enrol your kids in a bilingual school:
1. Cognitive Benefits
Did you know that kids who learn multiple languages are more creative? Learning languages strengthen the brain and make it more adaptable to new ideas. A bilingual brain can better memorise names and patterns. Additionally, people who learn multiple languages are better problem solvers and critical thinkers.
2. Reduces the Risk of Dementia
According to some recent studies, people who learn multiple languages are less prone to dementia. A bilingual brain develops dementia five years later than a monolingual one.
3. Academic Benefits
Another notable benefit of bilingual education is better academic performance. Kids with a high level of critical thinking skills generally perform better in academics. Learning English, for instance, widens access to top universities in the UAE and abroad.
4. Fosters Intercultural Unity
As a multicultural country, there are over 200 nationalities in the Emirates. An individual who learns a second language also explores a new culture. It helps gain an understanding of different cultures, fosters unity and develops empathy towards others.
5. Personality Development
Learning multiple languages also develops an individual’s personality and makes them confident. For instance, an individual who can speak English fluently is more confident in giving opinions during meetings.
6. Career Success
Bilingual education is also linked to long-term career success. People who are well-versed in foreign languages are in high demand by employers today. This is solely because a bilingual workforce bridges the communication gap in global industries.
Consider a career in sales where you are always at the forefront and are the face of the business. If you are fluent in multiple languages, it will be easier for you to negotiate and build relationships.
Approaches to Bilingual Education in the UAE Schools
Education in the UAE has changed significantly over the past decade. Most schools in the UAE today offer diverse curricula with different language programs. Here are some approaches to bilingual education in the UAE:
- Language of Instruction: Courses are taught in two languages such as Arabic and English.
- As an after-school activity: Some languages, such as Spanish classes, are offered as an extracurricular.
- English as a Second Language (ESL): With a focus on Arabic, English is taught as a secondary language.
- Language as a Subject: Languages such as French, Hindi, and Urdu are taught as standalone subjects.
Quick Tips to Help Your Child Learn Multiple Languages
As a parent, navigating the bilingual education process for your child can be challenging. Children in their early years are more likely to learn quickly. However, here are some tips to help them with this process:
- Don’t put much burden on your kids. If they are learning slowly, let them do so at their own pace.
- Encourage and reward them. Children associate good behaviour with rewards which help them engage more in learning.
- Talk to your child in the language they are learning. For instance, if it is English, have conversations with your kid in the same language.
- Engage your kid by incorporating bilingual books and apps into their daily routine. A popular app is ‘Duolingo’.
Interesting Facts About Bilingual Education
Let’s take a glance at some lingo facts:
- The world has a higher percentage of bilingual population than monolingual. 60% of the world’s population is bilingual.
- The need for bilingual employees skyrocketed by 150% between 2010 and 2015.
FAQs
Bilingual education means teaching more than one language at a time.
Yes, the UAE is a bilingual country. Arabic is the main national language, with English, Fresh, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian as other national languages.
Public vs private schools in the UAE is a long debate. These schools differ in curriculum, fees, language of instruction,n and academic success. The choice, however, comes down to personal preferences. For bilingual education, private schools in the UAE are an ideal choice. If you are from Dubai, consider these top private schools.
That was all about the importance of bilingual education in the UAE. Teaching your kid multiple languages fosters intercultural understanding and contributes to career success.
Are you searching for a top-rated school in Dubai for your kids? Check out the Property Finder blog!
