Is Bilingualism Important?
A focus on second language development ultimately benefits learning of the first language, says Jennifer Wood, a French teacher in Toronto, Ontario. The process of language learning constructs, syntax, vocabulary and so on enables a child to apply the rules of learning one language to learning another, making third and subsequent languages so much easier to acquire. The Canadian Heritage Web site defends Canadas policy of linguistic duality and bilingualism by suggesting that bilingualism is a selling point for Canada. Among the facts cited is that the number of bilingual Canadians doubled between 1951 and 1991, up from 12 to 16 percent of the population. Bilingual people have a higher rate of participation in the labour force compared to those who speak one language. Studies have shown that those who learn more than one language will also learn other subjects more easily. Walter Azzalini, a teacher in Toronto, Ontario, believes that bilingualism is more important than ever. Bilinguali
