Our Summer Reading: Insights into the Bilingual Mind 

This fall, ISB faculty and staff returned to campus with the opportunity to discuss a topic central to ISB’s mission: bilingualism. This year's summer reading selection, available in both French and English, sparked the conversation.

Our educators delved into the book, Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development, by world-renowned psychologist, Dr. Ellen Bialystok. A Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at York University, Dr. Bialystok is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, celebrated for her rigorous and vast work on how bilingualism shapes the brain. Her research, which spans decades and uses both behavioral and neuroimaging methods, has been instrumental in reshaping our understanding of bilingualism (and multilingualism) and its profound benefits.

Debunking Bilingualism Myths 

Dr. Byalistock begins her book by explaining fundamental aspects of bilingualism, including the fact that more than half the world population is bilingual and that language learning is possible at any age. 

She continues by debunking a particular "zombie", or what Paul Krugman would call a misunderstanding that should be dead but continue to persist and influence public policy. Indeed, for many years, a persistent misconception persisted: the idea that learning two languages at an early age could be detrimental to a child's cognitive development. It was believed by some in the 20th century that a child's brain would become "confused" or that the effort of managing multiple languages would slow their linguistic and academic progress. Dr. Bialystok’s work is a powerful counter-narrative to this myth. She provides compelling, evidence-based research demonstrating that the opposite is true.

Her book, a culmination of extensive studies, reveals that far from being a disadvantage, bilingualism is a tremendous cognitive asset. Dr. Bialystok's research shows that the act of juggling two or more languages doesn't strain the brain—it strengthens it. This mental workout leads to a significant cognitive advantage known as enhanced executive function.

Key Takeaways for ISB Parents 

Dr. Bialystok's work highlights several key benefits of bilingualism, which are particularly relevant to our community. Her findings provide a reassuring and empowering perspective on your child's educational journey.

• Improved Cognitive Ability and Problem-Solving: The continuous need to switch between and inhibit languages trains the brain to be more nimble and adaptable. This cognitive agility translates into better problem-solving skills and a greater ability to handle tasks that require shifting attention.
• Enhanced Metalinguistic Awareness: Bilingual children develop a heightened awareness of how language works, including its structure and rules. This "metalinguistic awareness" can give them an edge in literacy and other academic subjects, as they intuitively understand the relationship between words, meanings, and forms.
• Improved Social Flexibility: The cognitive agility gained from managing multiple languages extends to social contexts. Constantly navigating different linguistic and cultural expectations can make bilingual individuals more adept at understanding diverse perspectives and adapting their communication style to various social situations.
• A "Cognitive Reserve" Against Decline: One of the most remarkable discoveries of Dr. Bialystok's research is that lifelong bilingualism can build a "cognitive reserve," which can delay the onset of symptoms of dementia later in life. This benefit underscores the long-term, lasting impact of bilingualism and the linguistic environment created for young people.

Practical Advice from Dr. Bialystok 

Another message in Dr. Bialystok’s book is for parents like you and me. Her work is a call to action, encouraging us to embrace and celebrate our family's linguistic heritage. She assures us that the most important thing a parent can do is to create a rich, supportive language environment at home. Based on her advice, here are a few things you can do:

1. Speak your home language(s) with confidence: Don’t worry about “confusing” your children by speaking multiple languages at home. Dr. Bialystok’s research shows that the brain is perfectly capable of handling this. The more language exposure a child has, the more robust their cognitive skills will become.
2. Create opportunities for language use: Encourage your children to speak their languages with family, friends, and in different social contexts. This is a far more effective way for them to become proficient than simply hearing it.
3. Celebrate multilingualism: Frame multilingualism as a gift. Show your children that speaking multiple languages is a point of pride and a valuable skill that connects them to cultures, people, and ways of thinking.

Our summer reading of Dr. Bialystok's book has provided our faculty with an opportunity to discuss with many colleagues about our appreciation and commitment to supporting our students' linguistic and cognitive development. It is a powerful reminder that our international school environment, rich with diverse languages, is not just a place of learning but a place of profound cognitive growth. 

We recommend that you read the book for a more detailed look at this fascinating topic. You can find a link to the publisher's page here: Bilingual Children: Families, Education, and Development.

About the Author: Dr. Mehdi Lazar is the Assistant Head of School at the International School of Boston. A former primary and secondary school teacher, Mehdi has been a teacher trainer and international school leader for the last 15 years. Mehdi is the author of seven books and multiple articles on global education, human geography, and geopolitics. His recent work focuses on school leadership, multilingual education, and intercultural competence, including a recent book, 'Speaking the World: Multilingualism and Intercultural Competence in the Professional World' (NYC, TBR Books, 2025).