Bilingual Curriculum
Lolland International School follows a dual-curricula, dual-immersion, bilingual program. In short, this means that student have half of their subjects in English and the other half in Danish.
Leading research in bilingualism shows that bilingual education enhances learning, for example, students attain the same levels of achievement in academic domains such as Mathematics and Science as their peers in monolingual programs, while acquiring an additional language.
Here is a summary of the benefits of bilingual education (Sources: McGill University Canada, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, among others).
Brain and Cognitive
Cognitive Flexibility: Bilingual individuals build cognitive flexibility as they switch between languages, which strengthens the ability to adapt and manage multiple tasks. This "code-switching" helps with filtering information and developing focus.
Improved Decision-Making: Bilinguals often enhance decision-making capabilities by actively choosing which language to use in different contexts, a skill linked to improved executive function and attentional control.
Better Problem-Solving Abilities:Learning two languages fosters creative approaches to problem-solving and boosts abstract thinking, as bilingual students practice viewing challenges from varied perspectives.
Academic
Increased Academic Performance: Bilingual students tend to outperform monolinguals in tasks involving executive control, focus, and critical thinking, which positively impacts their performance across academic disciplines.
Bilingual Abilities: Mastery of multiple languages not only enhances communication but also builds a robust linguistic foundation that facilitates learning additional languages.
Better Understanding of One's Own Language: Bilingualism provides deeper insight into the mechanics of language, which often leads to a more sophisticated understanding of grammar and structure in one's native language.
Economic and Cross-Cultural Competency
Competitive in the Global Community: Bilingualism is highly valued in international careers, making bilingual individuals more competitive in fields such as business, diplomacy, and tourism.
Awareness and Understanding of Other Cultures: Bilingual education naturally fosters cultural awareness, allowing students to appreciate and interact more respectfully within diverse cultural contexts.
Stronger Family & Heritage Connection
Bridge Builders for Their Families: Bilingual students can bridge cultural and linguistic divides within families, enhancing communication across generations.
Better Understanding of Their Own Cultural Heritage: Learning in a bilingual setting often strengthens students’ connections to their heritage, encouraging them to explore and value their cultural backgrounds.
