Multilingualism, an asset for life
FIS was recently interviewed by a large English-language newspaper on the challenges of foreign language learning. Among the number of questions asked, one in particular made its way to my desk… “How does bilingualism contribute to the development of students and open up job prospects for them?”
I am sharing here my contribution:
Bilingualism, and more broadly multilingualism, offers many advantages for the personal and cognitive development of our students as well as for their higher education prospects and future employment. At FIS, we are proud to offer 6 language classes, including French, English, Spanish, Mandarin, German and Latin.
It has long been shown that multilingualism improves cognitive abilities such as brain plasticity and flexibility, memory, concentration, problem-solving and creativity. These transferable skills will be useful for our students in many fields, not only to pursue their studies but also to start their career.
This also develops and strengthens confidence and self-esteem. It contributes to broadening our students’ horizons through open-mindedness and tolerance towards others as well as through understanding and relating to people from different cultures.
Multilingualism is therefore a considerable asset which opens the field of possibilities for our students in terms of countries and language of study they will pursue after FIS.
Students see their employability increased after graduating from their career-centred tertiary studies where they continue to strengthen their mastery of foreign languages. Our globalised world offers many professional opportunities that require proficiency in several languages.
The success of commercial international relations as well as political, cultural, educational and technological international cooperation requires talent who have acquired good intercultural and linguistic training.
The profile of our students allow them to work in many sectors: international relations and cooperation, tourism, international trade, translation, teaching, research, diplomacy etc. Being multilingual will necessarily offer them job opportunities all over the world which promises enriching experiences on both personal and professional levels.
Speaking several languages gives a competitive advantage in the job market, such as accessing higher-paid jobs, accelerating promotions and international job opportunities. Keep in mind that very often, multilingual professionals are considered more versatile and adaptable so they are valuable.
Finally, in terms of life experience and network, language proficiency contributes greatly to enjoying rich and interesting human and professional experiences and to building an international network of professional contacts in various countries that can help with professional and geographical mobility.
To finish, on a very specific angle about our school, we can all rejoice that foreign language learning starts in Primary school and is completed and reinforced right up to the French Baccalaureate and IB.
Nevertheless, this does not exempt us from working towards the highest possible mastery of the essential languages of study, French in the French Stream and English in the International Stream.