Bilingualism (or more generally: Multilingualism) is the phenomenon of speaking and understanding two or more languages. The term can refer to individuals (individual bilingualism) as well as to an entire society (social bilingualism).
The term can also refer to the corresponding scientific research which studies the phenomenon itself. Bilingualism, multilingualism, and polyglotism can all be used as synonyms for the same phenomenon.
A simple definition of bilingualism is an ability to communicate easily in two languages. Anyone can become bilingual, but it's much easier to become bilingual when you are a child. Most often you'll find that a person with an accent became bilingual later in life. Bilingualism is a norm, not an exception. As surprising as it might seem, most people in the world are bilingual.
Bilingualism Characteristics
There are some general characteristics that many bilinguals share, though not each individual will have every characteristic. Exploring these qualities can help dispel certain misconceptions about bilingual people. Each bilingual person will have their own unique set of characteristics, but these characteristics generally apply:
- Bilingual people are most often part of two cultures or a culture where more than one language is used.
- Bilingual people may not speak both languages equally well. Bilingual people use each language in different areas of their lives. Some may speak one language at home and the other for everyday business.
- Bilingual individuals may not be able to translate quickly. This doesn't mean they don't know the language well. Words don't automatically translate equally into another language, so it takes some thinking to figure out a good translation.
- Bilinguals sometimes mix languages when speaking to each other. The major reason is that some words don't translate well.
Each human language is a complex of knowledge and abilities enabling speakers of the language to communicate with each other, to express ideas, hypotheses, emotions, desires, and all the other things that need expressing. Linguistics is the study of these knowledge systems in all their aspects: how is such a knowledge system structured, how is it acquired, how is it used in the production and comprehension of messages, how does it change over time?
The part of linguistics that is concerned with the structure of language is divided into a number of subfields:
§ Phonetics - the study of speech sounds in their physical aspects
§ Phonology - the study of speech sounds in their cognitive aspects
§ Morphology - the study of the formation of words
§ Syntax - the study of the formation of sentences
§ Semantics - the study of meaning
§ Pragmatics - the study of language use
Aside from language structure, other perspectives on language are represented in specialized or interdisciplinary branches:
§ Historical Linguistics
§ Sociolinguistics
§ Psycholinguistics
§ Ethnolinguistics (or Anthropological Linguistics)
§ Dialectology
§ Computational Linguistics
§ Neurolinguistics
Teaching English as a Second Language is a high-demand subject of instruction that continues to experience growth in schools across the country. As children from foreign countries continue to immigrate to the United States and enroll in schools here, the number of students whose native language is not English continues to grow. Thus, many schools have English Language Learners (ELL) programs, also known as English as a Second Language (ESL).
Structure of ESL Programs
ESL schools help students become more fluent in English by breaking down concepts and language rules. Many programs teach mathematics, science, and history classes in a way that is easier for students who are non-native speakers. Oftentimes, these programs are located in English speaking countries to give students a real immersion feeling. There are ESL Programs that can be found in home countries as well!
Many ESL students can feel extremely overwhelmed being immersed in a country that they does not speak the language; it can be very frustrating because they cannot understand or participate in a class that is entirely taught in English or in the outside world around them.
English Language Programs (ESL, EFL) can teach you to read, write, understand, and speak English more fluently by enhancing your grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. However, there are also many other reasons for studying at an English Language School.
What are the other benefits of an English Language Program?
English Language Programs...
- Prepare you for academic study at college, university, or professional schools.
- Help you improve your scores on the English examinations you may need in the future, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Exams.
- Satisfy your personal English learning needs and interests by offering many choices of classes, such as Business English or Conversational English.
- Teach you first hand about the culture and customs of the host country.
- Immerse you in a new language and culture, providing many opportunities to practice English both at school and in the local community.
- Help you meet many new and different people both in and outside of school.
