- Bilingualism has large media coverage of its benefits from aging to detecting Alzheimer’s.
   - t is hypothesized that bilingualism gives the brain a mental workout as both languages are always active, even if one is not used.
- On the surface of bilingualism, cross-language activation and being proficient for L2 is difficult, but some benefits might not be obviously desirable across one’s life span.

Rutgers University

- Bilingualism is the ability to use two languages actively.
- Evidence from language processing suggests that both languages for bilinguals are always active and clashing.
   - Most bilinguals are proficient in one language than the other language.
   As a result, it is claimed that there needs to be a weaker language to be proficient in one language.

Bilingualism

Bjork RA, Kroll JF. Desirable Difficulties in Vocabulary Learning. Am J Psychol. 2015 Summer;128(2):241-52.

Desirable Difficulties in Vocabulary Learning

Advantages of Bilingualism

- Bilinguals speak slower in their native language than monolingual speakers of the same language.
- Bilinguals produce less verbal fluency.
- Bilinguals have more tip-of-the-tongue experiences.
- Bilingual children have a smaller vocabulary.
- There are fewer chances to use L2.
- Two languages are always competing.
- At a young age, the benefits may not seem advantageous, and the consequences are more apparent.

Disadvantages of Bilingualism

Ramirez, R., Huang, B.H., Palomin, A., & McCarty, L (2021). Teachers and language outcomes for young bilinguals: A scoping review. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 52, 755-768. 

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