A bilingual sign on the side of a building on Central Avenue and 29th Street that sells discount clothing. Research shows that bilingual children adapt to different situations and have better growth in their brains. (Credit: Kat Russell/OnCentral)
In "OnCentral on Foot," we approach people at random in the streets of South L.A. and ask them their thoughts on the world and community in which they live. This time, we asked them whether they thought it was beneficial for children to learn bilingual skills.
A recent study shows that the best way to learn another language is through social interactions and and daily exposure to languages.
Most South L.A. locals we spoke said these findings were evident in their children or in their own lives. One mother said she was encouraging her young daughter to learn how to speak Spanish. A young man said that being bilingual helps him at work since many customers are either Spanish-speakers or English-speakers only. But almost all of the people we interviewed said being bilingual is somehow beneficial.
How many languages do you speak? Let us know in our poll!
