Surprisingly, being bilingual was once frowned upon. This ability is now seen as an undeniable advantage on many levels. At a time when foreign language proficiency is a minimum skill, being bilingual is a significant asset. Can you become bilingual, and if so, how? Languages and Travel, a language travel agency, explains.
What does it mean to be bilingual?
To be bilingual or not to be, that is the question. What is the difference between bilingualism and terms like "fluent English" or "operational English," for example? Do you have to be a native English speaker to be bilingual in English? If you don't have parents from a particular country, such as a Spanish mother or a German father, is it possible to master a language perfectly? Let's look more closely at the definition of bilingualism, shall we? Being bilingual means the ability of an individual to express themselves in two distinct languages with an equal degree of accuracy.
A plus for health too
Previously, in the collective imagination, speaking two languages came at the expense of other skills. Bilingualism thus faced some difficult times, but times have changed considerably. Now, this ability is a must. So much so that some parents try to expose their children to several languages from a very young age. Moreover, and this has even been proven, being able to juggle languages perfectly is good for your health. For example, it may prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease; increase cognitive abilities; and help children anticipate and respond to changes more easily, while also making them more open to others and more attentive. The famous TEDx program even made a video about it.
An advantage for the professional world
Language skills have become a real asset for everyone in a globalized world. Professionally (and also for personal enrichment), speaking several languages fluently is a definite advantage. For example, you can apply for seasonal jobs as well as permanent positions requiring specific training to secure a fixed-term contract or even a permanent contract abroad, such as in Belgium.
How to become bilingual?
At the risk of disappointing some, simply paying for a program guaranteeing bilingualism is unfortunately not enough to become truly bilingual. Mastering a language perfectly takes months, or even years. A few lessons a week for 24 weeks will not suffice , even with reading in the target language, watching films, and participating in discussion groups. It's a far more complex process, facilitated by, among other things, the repetition of situations, both in terms of comprehension and expression, particularly for the use of phonetics. It goes without saying that long-term immersion is practically essential to achieve this.
It should be noted, however, that the learning time and the time it takes to become bilingual varies from person to person . There are therefore no hard and fast rules. While it is easier to become bilingual at a young age, it is entirely possible to achieve this goal at any age.
And if you're not bilingual…
Are you left with nothing but tears? Don't be fooled, there's no need to panic! Firstly, because not everyone is endowed with this ability. Secondly, because reaching this nirvana of knowledge is almost never absolutely necessary. As the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) from A1 to C2 proves, it is perfectly possible to master a language without it being your native tongue.
Furthermore, it's rare for a bilingual person to have perfect and equal mastery of two languages. Certainly, being able to work in several languages opens many professional doors, as it's a key selection criterion in companies. But apart from a few very specific professions that require it, a very good command of both languages remains largely sufficient today!
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