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Developmental benefits of early bilingal education on Iranian kindergarten students
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Pegah Merrikhi *   |
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Abstract: (568 Views) |
Learning to speak two languages is akin to mastering any other skill; it comes with a wealth of benefits. Research shows that being bilingual can greatly enhance cognitive and emotional development, as well as open up new avenues for learning success. It’s believed that the constant need to switch between languages offers several cognitive advantages. This study highlights that early childhood is the optimal time to learn a second language.
Studies have indicated that children exposed to two languages in their formative years often become proficient in both. Bilingual individuals—children and adults alike—tend to exhibit superior executive functioning skills, enabling them to shift focus, manage multiple tasks, and solve problems more effectively. Additionally, they possess heightened metalinguistic abilities, which allow them to reflect on and analyze language structures and functions.
To gather data for this study, observations and interviews were conducted with teachers from kindergarten and primary schools. A qualitative content analysis was performed on the collected data. The results revealed that students who received English instruction before the age of six showed significantly higher language and cognitive abilities compared to their peers who did not receive such instruction at the same stage. |
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| Keywords: bilingualism, developmental benefits |
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Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/03/27 | Accepted: 2024/04/19 | Published: 2024/04/19
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