--- title: The Benefits of Bilingualism description: The Benefits of Bilingualism image: https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg --- [![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) ![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/06/08/the-benefits-of-bilingualism-2#sidr-main) - [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions) - [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years) - [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary) - [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school) - [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school) **Locations** [Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us) **Email** [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org) **Social** - [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool) - [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool) - [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool) - [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool) - [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet) # The Benefits of Bilingualism [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) [blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) Bilingualism [All Categories](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ![The Benefits of Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg) share: [![istp-linkedin-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/06/08/the-benefits-of-bilingualism-2) [![istp-instagram-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/?url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/06/08/the-benefits-of-bilingualism-2) [![istp-facebook-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/06/08/the-benefits-of-bilingualism-2) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg?width=320&height=320&name=Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg)I have recently [read an article in the *New York Times*](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/science/31conversation.html) and have found it quite interesting, and mostly very relevant to what we, as parents and educators, experience with our children on a daily basis. Three years ago, as a Board member of the Association of French Schools in America, I had invited Ellen Bialystok to speak to us, and was impressed by her approach and the depth of her thoughts. Her research indicates that [bilingual](https://istp.org) speakers can outperform monolinguals in certain mental abilities, such as editing out irrelevant information and focusing on important information. These skills make [bilinguals](https://istp.org) better at prioritizing tasks and working on multiple projects at one time. Researchers trace the source of these multi-tasking skills to the way [bilinguals](https://istp.org) mentally negotiate between the languages, a skill that could be called mental flexibility or juggling. Bialystok confirmed that the benefits of [bilingualism](https://istp.org) appear across age groups. Studies of children who grow up as [bilingual](https://istp.org) speakers indicate they are often better at prioritizing, than monolingual children. At [I](https://istp.org)NTL\*, it is our mission to educate students through a rigorous [bilingual](https://istp.org)curriculum, and we have drawn on such research to enhance our students’ academic experience, and to further develop the educational component of our strategic plan. In the same vein, I would also like to recommend a good summer read on[bilingualism](https://istp.org). [Bilingual](https://istp.org): Life and Reality (Harvard University Press, 2010) by François Grosjean- [http://www.francoisgrosjean.ch](http://www.francoisgrosjean.ch/) In this very personal book full of vitality, anecdotes and wisdom about being [bilingual](https://istp.org) and raising [bilingual](https://istp.org) children, François Grosjean draws on research and autobiographies to describe in an enjoyable way how [bilingualism](https://istp.org) affects the experience, thoughts, and life of those of us who are[bilingual](https://istp.org). [Let me know your thoughts about the benefits of bilingualism, and how it has affected your child and family.](mailto:philippedietz@istp.org)  \*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.   related posts [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Unknown-199x300-1-1.jpeg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2014/11/07/guest-blogger-dr-judith-lessow-hurley-benefits-bilingual-education) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ##### [Guest Blogger Dr. Judith Lessow-Hurley: Benefits of a Bilingual Education](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2014/11/07/guest-blogger-dr-judith-lessow-hurley-benefits-bilingual-education) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Henry1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/the-impact-of-language) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ##### [The Impact of Language](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/the-impact-of-language) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/DD-Instruction-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/post-pandemic-bilingual-development-in-the-k-5-chinese-program-0) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ##### [Post-Pandemic Bilingual Development: Data-Driven Literacy Instruction (2022-2023)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/post-pandemic-bilingual-development-in-the-k-5-chinese-program-0) ### Silicon Valley International School #### The premier bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the West Coast. Grades preschool to high school: Chinese, French, German Programs available. [contact us](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions) [![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) [+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org) Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Philippe Dietz", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/philippe-dietz" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-15T00:17:03.800Z", "datePublished" : "2011-06-08T07:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "The Benefits of Bilingualism", "image" : [ "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-The-Benefits-of-Bilingualism-2.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/06/08/the-benefits-of-bilingualism-2", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png" }, "name" : "Silicon Valley International School" } } ```