New studies are showing that a multilingual brain is nimbler, quicker, better able to deal with ambiguities, resolve conflicts and even resist Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia longer.
“Multilingual people, studies show, are better at reasoning, at multitasking, at grasping and reconciling conflicting ideas. They work faster and expend less energy doing so, and as they age, they retain their cognitive faculties longer, delaying the onset of dementia and even full-blown Alzheimer’s disease. A bilingual brain is not necessarily a smarter brain, but it is proving to be a more flexible, more resourceful one.”
TIME article – How the Brain Benefits From Being Bilingual, Jeffrey Kluger
Multilingual learning is proven to not only enhance first language skills and international-mindedness, but also to increase the students ability to think in more complex ways.
Our Early Years students enjoy a full-day of discovery with both non-Thai and Thai teachers through songs, literacy and numeracy learning, guided activities, individual interactions and storytelling.
In Primary classes, our team of Thai and English language specialists support homeroom teachers and students by co-planning, co-teaching, adapting the learning material to suit the needs of the non-native speakers and providing direct support during lessons.
To help our students master an additional language, we create situations where they have to use it, making sure our non-Thai teachers only use English and Thai teachers only use Thai when communicating with students.
Other languages
Our Multilingual programme is not only about learning languages, it’s also about opening learners’ minds to different ways of seeing the world. It’s about building skills that will transfer to learning other languages and also importantly to learning in general.
We acknowledge the fact that many Panyaden students speak a language other than English or Thai at home. Research shows that the strength of a child’s first language determines the strength of every other language they will be learning. This is why we encourage all parents to use their first language at home. Our approach is supported by numerous studies done in various contexts.
Here are a few benefits of multilingual education:
- Improved Performance on Standardised Tests
Students perform as well as, or better than, non-immersion students on standardised tests of English and maths administered in English. - Enhanced Cognitive Skills
Students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem-solving skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language. - Increased Cultural Sensitivity
Students are more aware of and show more positive attitudes towards other cultures and an appreciation of other people. - Long Term Benefits
Students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where a second language is an asset.
We openly welcome all enquiries from interested families throughout the year, so please feel free to contact us for more information, or to arrange a visit to Panyaden please apply for a school tour.
