Thanks to multiple studies on the benefits of learning another language, we’re all now much more familiar with the many cognitive gains that come from learning, and being able to communicate in, a second language. And it follows on that this has enabled us to better appreciate why beginning the language learning journey in your child’s early years - when new cognitive connections are most readily formed - can make the difference between knowing another language, and owning it.

But did you know that the benefits extend beyond cognitive brain function and into the realm of physiological and overall wellbeing too?

(Read on for full infographic)

Firstly, “… in addition to providing continual exercise for the brain, being bilingual causes physical changes to the brain, increasing grey matter in the left inferior parietal cortex. White matter, the part of the brain known better known as myelin, also has shown physical changes in bilingual children and adults, suggesting that being bilingual not only changes how the brain sends signals but its physical attributes as well”.  Secondly “… bilingual children showed reduced levels of anxiety, loneliness, and poor self-esteem, as well as a reduction of negative behaviours such as arguing, fighting, or acting impulsively. According to the experts, part of the reason for lower levels of social stress among bilingual children had to do with the ability to understand and accept the multiple cultures which came along with learning multiple languages.”*

*Sourced from an article originally published by Saludify in “Growing up bilingual is so good for you” by Hope Gillette

In today’s globalised, and increasingly integrated world, that’s a big benefit!

Via: Voxy Blog

However, a recent report on ABC news brings a new perspective to this discussion from the Australian point of view, with experts saying that not only will the inclusion of Asian languages in the national curriculum go a long way to enhancing this relationship; it could also help curb racial discrimination.

And with a number of recent racial abuse incidents recently reported in both Melbourne and Sydney it would appear that the new language learning reforms proposed as part of the “Australia in the Asian Century” White Paper, released last October, are increasingly urgent.

Many of the benefits inherent in learning a second language and being bilingual come into play when dealing with new or different cultures. And while learning a second language, such as Mandarin Chinese, is not a solution to racial discrimination in itself, bilingual or multilingual people have the benefit of being more open minded, have greater cognitive abilities and are better able to see that there are other ways of expressing oneself than their monolingual counterparts. Although it would go too far to say that bilingual or multilingual people are not racist, as a general rule the more languages you speak the less likely you are to be racist.

Even if “racist” bullying in young people is more often than not the result of a perception of difference rather than race, early language learning provides a window to a culture and enables children to become more accepting of cultural diversity and, by extension, of people who speak different languages. And the earlier this language learning begins the better for all concerned.

Although the practice of honouring motherhood is rooted in antiquity, the ancient rites only really involved strongly spiritual celebrations of the goddesses and other symbols of motherhood of the times, rather than celebrating 'human' mothers as it does today. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their 'Great Mother of Gods', Cybele. Christians also celebrated this festival in honor of Mary, mother of Christ.

In the 17th Century, a clerical decree in England broadened the celebration from one focused on the church and the Virgin Mary, to include real mothers, referring to the occasion as Mothering Day. Mothering Day became an especially compassionate holiday toward the working classes of England to allow servants and trade workers to travel back to their towns of origin to visit their families during Lenten Sunday.

When the first English settlers came to America, they discontinued the tradition of Mothering Day and while the British holiday would live on, the American Mother’s Day would only be invented — with an entirely new history — centuries later.

Download and print out these great craft ideas from our French for Kids clubs to celebrate Mum!  
La Marguerite (Daisy)
Une boite à bonbons pour Maman (Box for lollies)

The seed of Mother's Day, as we know it today, was sewn nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it "Mother's Work Day. In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers."

After years of lobbying to seek support for her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers, Anna Jarvis' efforts were rewarded in 1914 when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday. People observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers.

Read more about the origins of Mother's Day and how it's celebrated in different countries around the world here.

… and what is the difference between an integrative and an influential motivator?

The saying that language is “best learned between the sheets” is a perfect example of an integrative motivating factor.

Integrative motivation is when an individual learns a foreign language, say for instance Spanish, with the aim of integrating into Spanish society. The language is being used as a tool for communicating and building relationships within the culture of the Spanish language.

People who learn a second or foreign language in order to achieve a separate goal are instrumentally motivated. In this instance, learning the language is not an end in itself but rather a means by which to achieve that accomplishment, whether professional or personal.

A better and more successful language learning outcome is achieved when the motivator is integrative. “Linguistic studies show that integrative motivation yields faster and more effective language learning results than other types.” In addition, and unsurprisingly, integrated learners who relate positively to a culture tend to pick up the pronunciation and accent of the language better.

Article source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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We love sharing all the wonderful world of Fun Languages' stories, news and images with our little (and not so little) linguists - from what we get up to in our clubs to the latest news or studies on language learning and the benefits of bilingualism - and much more in between.

And ... since a "picture is worth a thousand words" ... we thought it was time to dip our toes into the Pinterest waters as another way for sharing with you all. 

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