Reference no: EM133882493
Question
Bilingualism Across the LifeSpan There are over 6,000 language spoken in the world, with the top three being Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and English (in that order). Research indicates that more than 50% the world's population are bilingual, speaking more than one language fluently. However in the United States, that rate is around 22%. This rate has risen from 11% in the 1980's. Further, 23% of children in the US speak a language other than English at home, although this varies widely by state. In fact, around the world there are as many children are bilingual as there are monolingual children. According to your textbook and other research, bilingualism offers a number of positive cognitive benefits, including offsetting age-related cognitive decline and better attention span. Individuals who are bilingual also are increasingly desired in the workforce. Use the following resources in this discussion board: Chapter 9, especially the section on second-language learning and bilingualism. Hanen Center; Bilingualism in Young Children: Separating Fact from Fiction Marian & Shook (2012) The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual National Institutes of Health, Bilingual Effects in the Brain NPR, Six Potential Brain Benefits of Bilingual Education The Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center
1 . In many schools, educators are not bilingual. How might the lack of bilingual educators in primary education (K-12) impact the educational outcomes and intellectual development of students? Would requiring learning a second language during elementary school change student success outcomes (e.g., gradution rates, literacy, college acceptance, future employment) and if so, how? How might it impact future career success?
2. In healthcare settings, most providers are not bilingual and rely on interpreters to translate medical information to patients. How would having a bilingual provider vs. a trained medical interpreter vs a family member of volunteer with no medical interpreting training might impact the individual's health care outcomes (e.g., consider treatment compliance, understanding diagnoses, ethics, etc.)? How could requiring second language learning in K-12 education (e.g., Question 1) influence healthcare outcomes across the life span?
3. Identify one local community non-profit resource or agency that provides support to bilingual individuals living in your communiity. Provide the name, mission, and website of the resource/agency, and discuss how they specifically assist bilingual individuals. This resource can be for any language spoken in your local community.
Be sure in this discussion board you clearly identify the cognitive, physical and/or social/emotional development factors you are considering in your answers and use data to support your opinion.