Does bilingualism increase intelligence?

Question

Does learning a second (or third) language lead to an increase in IQ?

Are bilinguals on average more inteligent than monolinguals?
Should second language teaching be made compulsory from a young age?

Answer 1

The previous answerer's information is interesting, although it could be important to make a distinction in the meanings of the term "bilingual". A bilingual can be a person who has learned two langauges from a young age, and therefore has two native languages, or it can be used to describe anyone who knows two languages. I believe that the material quoted in the answer just previous to mine is talking about bilinguals who have two native languages, not just anyone who learns a new language. I think it's important to make that distinction because people are using that term all over this question, and I think people are using it to mean different things.

I'm troubled by this sentence, though: "However, studies show that the only difference in language learning at a younger age versus an older age is that someone who learns a language at a younger age will have better pronunciation." This is clearly not true. Children under the age of about 7 are in many ways indistinguishable from native speakers after learning a new language for a certain period of time, while most adults who learn a new language never reach abilities that are in any way close to those of native speakers with the language. This is true not just of pronunciation but also of grammar, performance on grammaticality tests, and so forth. So that sentence seems to have left out some critical information.

The first answerer also pointed out, in so many words, a problem with IQ: it's apparently not valid. IQ is supposed to be a measure of a person's intelligence that does not change over time, but many studies have shown that IQ can change and be influenced by things like listening to classical music. So perhaps IQ is not the best measure of intelligence out there.

I am not aware of any studies that test the influence of second language acquisition on intelligence, simply because we linguists are more interested these days in other questions. In fact, the question of what effect intelligence has on second language acquisition is very much an open question in the field nowadays. However, as far as helping people understand the nature of language itself and being open to other cultures, I believe that learning new languages definitely has value. In my personal experience, I feel that learning new languages helps me to broaden my personal experience and have access to people and relationships that I wouldn't know otherwise. Is that increased intelligence? Probably not by traditional definitions of intelligence, but it's very important, in my opinion.

Answer 2

We were just discussing this in my educational psych class the other day. According to my text: "Higher degrees of bilingualism are correlated with increased cognitive abilities in such areas as concept formation, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. In addition, these students have more advanced metalinguistic awareness." (53). Therefore, most children benefit from early second language teaching. However, studies show that the only difference in language learning at a younger age versus an older age is that someone who learns a language at a younger age will have better pronunciation. Children who learn the language at a younger age, and who have constant contact with the language over a long period of time, will be able to retain more of the language than an older student - that is after no contact with the second language for a period of time.

Answer 3

I don't think learning languages increases IQ, but I think it is said that the more languages one is capable of learning is a good indicator of how high their IQ is. So somebody who speaks 4 languages fluently is pretty darned smart! So it's more like the other way around - a high IQ leads to an increase in the likelihood of learning a 2nd or 3rd language.

Answer 4

IQ is a measure of your ability to learn (in theory). Incidentally, a true measure of IQ is not confined by language. Learning a language would not increase that potential, but it could certainly lead to increased knowledge in specific areas. For example, it can lead to a flexibility in thinking, an increased awareness of words and their origins, even a greater understanding of other cultures. So, in short, while learning another language should not increase IQ, it can certainly make you more learned.

Answer 5

I read in the news that learning a second language has been shown to increase performance on IQ tests. Whether that means it makes you more intelligent or not is open to question - I think you can be stupid in two languages just as easily as in one...

Answer 6

Let's look at it this way. If you learn something that previously you did not know, then you are to some degree smarter. To learn an entirely new language does increase intelligence to some level, because now you can communication with more people. I don't know if I would say that you become closer to genius, but your intelligence definitely benefits from the more you learn.

Answer 7

As a language teacher, I've found that most people with musical talent will have a very easy time picking up a foreign language. Their musical ability helps them to hear the sound and reproduce it correctly.

I once taught German to a married couple. The woman had great musical talent and was able to pronounce everything easily, but she didn't remember what it meant 5 minues later. Her husband couldn't pronounce anything but his memory was incredible, he could remember everything and his vocabulary was fabulous - only nobody could understand what he was saying.

Who had the higher IQ?

:)

Answer 8

so i have an IQ of 140....based on messing around with some letters, numbers and shapes......I also am (native) bilingual and able to translate near instantaneously so that two strangers can converse whilst also adding idioms and politeness expected by each country (or i can decide they have nothing in common and get them to fall out by being terse - lol).....So how many extra IQ points is an entire language worth? As measured by the monolinguals!

Answer 9

the capacity to learn another language isn't...really IQ relevant. sometimes i see it like ...a student that learns more than one kind of science, biology and physics- both are completey different. and IQ tests are standardized tests that are given to any body.
but anyway, i encouage anybody to learn another language since it's a wonderful door to a new culture and new people.
it'd be great if we could learn a second language from a young age since i heard after twelve years old, minds change...and we aren't able to memorise as much. boo :(

Answer 10

Simply put, as we learn about other languages we increase the knowledge of our own native language. Example:you learn another alphabet..and other words of speech.. which will no doubt increase your intelligence/ IQ learning is a skill,you learn to be smart with your skills... i have read it is easier to learn other languages at younger ages.