What is a plurilingual education? Simply stated, it is one that teaches academic content in two or more languages rather than just teaching the languages as subjects in and of themselves. The structured environment thus fosters proficiency in these languages while simultaneously achieving learning goals for traditional subjects such as mathematics, science, history, and art.

But does plurilingual/bilingual education really have an impact, and if so, how? To answer these questions Saigoneer met with Olivier Guillet, Chief Academic Officer of Odyssey Education group, and Cyril Michel, the director of Saigon’s Le Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh which is a member of Odyssey Education group. The pair explained the science behind the approach and the practical cognitive, social, and psychological development benifits that they’ve observed first-hand at the school.

How Plurilingualism Impacts the Brain

>Olivier Guillet, Chief Academic Officer of Odyssey Education group.

“Early bilingual learners develop superior skills in attention control, problem-solving, and task switching due to the fact that they're managing multiple linguistic systems,” Olivier said before delving into the science that underpins the cognitive benefits of plurilingual education. He noted how learning two languages fosters awareness of language use and its importance which helps students intuitively grasp the structure and mechanics of language, allowing individuals who are bilingual from a young age to more easily pick up additional languages later in life. Moreover, because neuroplasticity, or the ability for the brain to reorganize and rewire its neural connections, is particularly strong at a young age, learning two languages is easier, which in turn creates denser gray matter in a brain’s language and cognitive regions that promotes lifelong flexibility for not just learning languages, but learning in general.

In addition to enhancing cognitive development, plurilingual education can have profound impacts on a child’s psychological development as well. The most obvious may be cross-cultural confidence which furthers tolerance and global mindedness. Olivier said communicating with two or even three languages is “not just about using different words to describe similar realities, but it's actually entering different realities or seeing the world through a different lens.” This ability to take on numerous perspectives leads to greater respect and empathy for those around a person, as well as confidence and pride in one’s self and a sense of healthy identity.

Plurilingual educations and the environments they create can result in lifelong social skills as well. Students, such as those at Le Petite Ecole, develop robust communication skills. Cyril noted that in unstructured moments such as recess, students “might interact in one language and jump to another… When playing they will use a language for one particular purpose and another language for something else.” This experience gives them the tools and confidence to flexibly integrate into a variety of conditions. To learn a language, one must practice it by communicating with others and in doing so, refine their appreciation for and ability to create social networks. This allows them to broaden their personal and professional circles later in life because they have a high competency in communicating with people across languages and backgrounds.

Plurilinguilism at Le Petite Ecole

All of the benefits that Olivier discussed are more significant and easier the earlier a student begins plurilingual education. At Le Petite Ecole this can begin for children 12-months-old and continues through 11 years old (5th Year - CM2). The school teaches the French national curriculum which mirrors that of French schools and Lycées français around the globe with all subjects taught in 50% English and 50% French. Extracurricular activities benefit from a diverse staff and student body so the languages are well represented during clubs, sports, performances, and social activities.

Le Petite Ecole’s community represents over 25 nationalities with students coming from a wide range of backgrounds. Some students need language support when initially joining, which the school provides in accordance with its philosophy of offering unique and specific attention to all students and their particular situations. This is made possible because, at only 400 students, there is a high teacher-to-student ratio and an ability to individualize learning plans and school experiences. Similarly, the school publishes all material in French, English, and Vietnamese while all meetings and conferences make accommodations for speakers of each of these languages so families can be involved and also form relationships that span beyond the campus walls.

The Short and Long-Term Impact of Plurilingual Education

Cyril Michel, Saigon’s Le Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh's Director.

While the science certainly supports the value of plurilingual education from a young age, parents understandably have concerns. They worry that developing two languages at once will hinder broader development because it requires such a large input of information and young children can become confused. Olivier admitted he too once had this belief, but the research proved him wrong. “There is a delay for a certain phase, but eventually it fades away and leads to more profound and effective language development,” he noted while adding that studies have also confirmed that plurilingual education is appropriate for all learner profiles and not simply gifted students as some parents assume.

The blend of cognitive, social, and emotional development provided by the plurilingual education and strong academic foundation established by the school’s curriculum prepares students for a wide range of opportunities upon graduation. Cyril explains that some students go on to study at Saigon’s French High School Marguerite Duras while others attend other international schools or leave the country because of a parent’s job. Ultimately, he says they are prepared for wherever they’d like to go and learn in whatever language they would like; “it's a real family choice.” Regardless of where they end up after Le Petite Ecole, the positive impacts of having learned two languages from a young age will continue to benefit them for the rest of their lives.