Exploring the effects of learning more than one language on cognitive development

The issue of whether acquiring two or more languages is beneficial or detrimental to cognitive development has been an area of research interest for decades and a concern for parents and educators of bilingual children.

Despite the initial belief that learning a second language early in life can delay cognitive development, there is now a general consensus that multi language experience is inherently advantageous for communication in modern multicultural societies.

Dr Filippi, who is Director of the IOE’s Multilanguage & Cognition Lab and co-director of the Bilingualism Matters London branch, examined the history of research into bilingualism and explored the positive effects of multilingualism and multiliteracy on cognitive development.

Dr Filippi also looked at how the bilingual mind works and examined important studies from the past 20 years which showed that bilinguals can learn new rules more efficiently than monolinguals. However, he did warn that research on bilingualism has often generated misconceptions and promoted a closer collaborations between scientists, educators and parents.

The talk ended by examining language learning in British schools and Dr Filippi concluded that bilingualism should be celebrated and its benefits promoted.

Links

• View Dr Roberto Filippi’s research profile
• Department of Psychology and Human Development
• Centre for Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Research & Practice
• Multilanguage & Cognition Lab
• Bilingualism Matters London