With a student body representing more than 70 nationalities and well over 30 languages spoken, multilingualism is fundamental to creating connection and inclusion at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL). In February, ISKL had the privilege of hosting Dr. Gianfranco Conti, a distinguished expert in language acquisition, for a VOX ISKL workshop on the transformative power of language learning.
Dr Conti presented the many benefits of learning a language, the mechanics of language acquisition and shared some practical strategies for parental support in fostering linguistic proficiency.
One of the key messages from Dr. Conti's presentation was the crucial role of parents in preserving and nurturing students’ home languages alongside English. Dr Conti emphasized, “Research shows that parents are the main force in maintaining bilingualism and multilingualism at a level that is going to promote benefits. The quality of the parent-child interaction in their first language is so important and predicts the child’s IQ in language skills 10 years later!” This underscores the importance of parental involvement in supporting their children's language development.
Emphasizing that language acquisition is not about substitution but enrichment, ISKL encourages students to nurture and develop their linguistic identity. The research underscores the cognitive advantages of bilingualism, with proficiency in one language facilitating the acquisition of others—a principle echoed in ISKL’s educational approach.
In essence, multilingualism is not solely a linguistic skill but a gateway to cross-cultural understanding, cognitive development, and academic excellence. At ISKL, it is fundamental to our inclusive educational environment, and seen as essential in nurturing identity and empowering our students to shape their paths as global citizens.
To learn more about similar events at ISKL, head over to iskl.edu.my
