{"id":7577,"date":"2020-08-04T16:36:22","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T20:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=7577"},"modified":"2024-12-17T16:47:03","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T21:47:03","slug":"benefits-of-esl-for-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/benefits-of-esl-for-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits of ESL for Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the 1960s, being bilingual was not seen as a positive thing. Experts believed that speaking two languages was confusing for the speaker, and theorized that it may even hinder development and lower IQ. But a lot<\/strong> has changed since the \u201860s! Experts today believe that the benefits of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs far outweigh any possible drawbacks. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education<\/a> finds that \u201cESL programs are the fastest-growing component of state-administered adult education programs.\u201d<\/p>\n

We all know that there are many advantages to children learning English as a second language early in life. For example, it enhances their cognitive development. There are also cultural advantages, as a child may remain tied to his or her native tongue while embracing English \u2013 the most widely spoken language \u2013 early on. But there are also some benefits of ESL for adults, which we explore below.<\/p>\n

Just as there are neurological benefits for bilingual children, there are also cognitive advantages for bilingual adults. As we age, we lose the ability to perform complex tasks efficiently. However, according to researchers<\/a>, adults who are bilingual often outperform those who only speak one language, when it comes to executive function of the brain. For example, bilingual people are more likely to focus without being distracted, and have a stronger ability to switch from one task to another.<\/p>\n

There are also scientific studies to support the claim that bilingualism may delay the onset of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/a>. \u201cBrain scans showed that lifelong bilinguals have stronger connections between certain brain areas compared to those who only speak one language \u2013 this appears to allow their brains to cope better with damage before they start to show outward signs of dementia,\u201d says Dr. Clare Walton, Research Manager at Alzheimer\u2019s Society.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are also many cultural, personal, and professional benefits in pursuing ESL for adults. Adults who learn English may be able to better relate to American and English culture. They may be able to better connect with friends and family who only speak English. If living in an English-speaking country, like the U.S., they may find they have more opportunities in their career if they learn the language. It is known as \u201cThe land of opportunity,\u201d but the fact remains that more doors will open to those who learn to speak English in the U.S.<\/p>\n

If you are pursuing \u201cthe American Dream,\u201d you may be thinking about pursuing a program that offers ESL for adults. The main goal of an ESL program<\/a>, like the one at Goodwin University, is to enhance the English-language proficiency for non-native speakers of English. Courses focus on reading<\/strong>, writing<\/strong>, speaking<\/strong>, and<\/strong> grammatical<\/strong> accuracy<\/strong> of English<\/strong> as its used in personal, vocational, or academic contexts.<\/p>\n

Some of the benefits of ESL classes<\/a> for adults at Goodwin include:<\/p>\n