November 22, 2023
by ISB Native Language Programs
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“It used to be thought that being bilingual was a bad thing – that it would confuse or hold people back, especially children. It turns out, we couldn’t have been more wrong.” This BBC video (posted on October 30, 2023) … Continue reading
December 10, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
1 Comment
Being bilingual or multilingual confers many benefits, from cultural connections to academic opportunities. In addition, research shows that it fortifies the brain, boosting grey-matter volume and white-matter integrity in areas affecting executive function: humans’ ability to control their behavior. The … Continue reading
September 5, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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When making a family language plan, some ISB families include a bilingual IB diploma. This is a diploma received at the end of high school, when the student has earned a score of 3 or above in two A languages selected … Continue reading
January 24, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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The website Multilingual Parenting by Rita Rosenback, author of the book Bringing Up a Bilingual Child, offers practical tips for parents of bilingual and multilingual children. The site’s “12 things” post may be viewed in Italian (above) as well as English, Belarusian, Catalan, Chinese, … Continue reading
January 15, 2018
by ISB Native Language Programs
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How does knowing more than one language keep the brain healthy, complex and actively engaged? Find out in this 5-minute video, and check your understanding with a TED-Ed online quiz!
May 15, 2017
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Perspectives on bilingualism / language maintenance
May 9, 2017
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Parent questions
May 2, 2017
by ISB Native Language Programs
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In this Grade 3 classroom at ISB, children have access to books in their mother tongue. Thanks Caryn Macky
March 21, 2017
by ISB Native Language Programs
2 Comments
It’s good to see teachers doing the quiet, small things that send powerful messages to kids. In this example from Grade 3, the teacher sponsors a child in a read-a-thon to read in both her languages. The learning here is … Continue reading
March 21, 2017
by ISB Native Language Programs
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What languages are people learning?