Benefits of learning a second language in early childhood

Early bilingual education strengthens cognitive development, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

Early childhood, from birth to age six, is the period of greatest brain development in a human being. The experiences children have, the skills they acquire, and the stimulation they receive during this stage directly influence their adult lives. For this reason, many parents seek guidance from pediatricians or early childhood education professionals to understand what their children need to learn. One of the most common answers relates to language and communication development.

Brazilian International School promotes bilingual education through Portuguese and English, providing linguistic and cultural immersion in both languages.

Acquiring a second language in early childhood brings benefits that positively impact both academic and social development. Children who grow up bilingual tend to show early development and become more cognitively flexible than monolingual children.

As researcher Jim Cummins explains in Language, Power, and Pedagogy (2000), bilingualism has positive effects on children’s linguistic and educational development. When children continue developing two or more languages throughout their primary school years, they gain a deeper understanding of language and how to use it effectively. They practice processing language more frequently and can compare and contrast how each language organizes reality. As a result, bilingual children often develop greater cognitive flexibility.

Bilingual individuals are not only able to express ideas in two languages but also experience two cultures. Bilingualism is truly the gateway to biculturalism. Simultaneous acquisition of two or more languages from birth does not pose risks to cognitive or social development. On the contrary, it offers advantages often unavailable to monolingual individuals.

Some of these benefits include:

Ease of Communication

Compared to monolingual children, multilingual children are exposed to diverse social experiences, helping them develop multiple perspectives in personal and collective situations. The ability to consider different perspectives is a key communication skill and is valuable in interpersonal relationships and professional environments. At Brazilian International School, social-emotional learning and soft skills begin in Early Childhood through projects such as “A Journey Through Emotions” and “Values Matter.”

Greater Ease in Learning Additional Languages

Learning multiple languages strengthens phonological, morphological, and syntactic skills. Languages reinforce one another and enhance overall linguistic competence, including in the native language. At Brazilian International School, students begin learning Spanish in Middle School. Because they have already achieved fluency in English from Early Childhood through Elementary School, acquiring a third language becomes easier and more natural.

Global Cultural Awareness

Being bilingual exposes individuals to diverse customs, ideas, and perspectives from different cultures. Language is closely tied to identity. Learning new languages from early childhood broadens cultural immersion and fosters respect and appreciation for diversity. Students participate in interdisciplinary projects such as “Cultural Diversity” and “Traveling Through English-Speaking Countries,” expanding their global awareness.

Delaying the Onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Studies, including research by Bialystok and others published in Neuropsychologia (2007), indicate that learning a second language from early childhood supports the development of executive brain functions and may delay the onset of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Managing multiple languages exercises the brain and strengthens cognitive resilience.

Expanded Academic and Career Opportunities

Mastery of more than one language creates a strong academic advantage. At Brazilian International School, High School students have the opportunity to graduate with a Dual Diploma, expanding their academic and professional pathways both nationally and internationally.

Learning a second language in early childhood should be understood as an excellent opportunity to provide multicultural experiences. However, exposure and immersion must be consistent and intentional. A child will not become fluent by watching a television program once a week. Exposure must be meaningful, engaging, and continuous.

Children may not understand the long-term benefits of language learning, but they have an innate desire to communicate and be understood. Therefore, a second language must be integrated into a welcoming and purposeful environment where children can naturally internalize and confidently use it.

This is the mission of Brazilian International School: to develop bilingual and multilingual communicators who build bridges across geographic and cultural distances, ready to embrace the opportunities life presents.