What happens in the brain of a bilingual person?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you think in one language or in two?
2. Do you ever mix up words from different languages?
3. Is it tiring to speak a foreign language for a long time?
4. Do you think bilingual people are cleverer?
5. What do you do when a word comes to you in the wrong language?
6. Would you like your children to be bilingual?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about the brain or languages.

Choose the word that fits.

1. She grew up , speaking Ukrainian and Polish at home.
2. The brain has to the other language while we speak one.
3. Hearing a word may related words in both languages.
4. Some researchers claim a for the brain, but the evidence is mixed.
5. The topic is because studies have given different results.
6. Other laboratories have failed to the original result.
7. The was too small to draw reliable conclusions.
8. There seems to be a between bilingualism and attention, but it is not proof of cause.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. bilingual = able to use
   two languagestwo namestwo computers
2. to inhibit = to
   translatehold backspeed up
3. controversial = causing
   disagreementsurprise onlysilence
4. to replicate = to
   copy a letterrepeat a studymove a lab
5. dominant =
   stronger or more usedrarely usedvery quiet
6. a correlation is a
   proof of causelink between thingskind of test

Use these phrases to speculate and to express likelihood.

• It may well be that...Цілком можливо, що...It may well be that both languages are active.
• Bilinguals are likely to...Білінгви, імовірно,...Bilinguals are likely to switch quickly.
• It is bound to...Це неодмінно...Interference is bound to happen.
• There's a good chance that...Є велика ймовірність, що...There's a good chance that attention is trained.
• It would appear that...Схоже, що...It would appear that the effect is small.
• The evidence is mixed.Докази неоднозначні.The evidence is mixed so far.
• We can't rule out that...Не можна виключати, що...We can't rule out that other factors play a role.
• It's too early to say whether...Ще рано казати, чи...It's too early to say whether the benefit is real.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Both languages may be active in the bilingual brain at the same time.
   TrueFalse
2. All scientists agree that bilingualism clearly delays dementia.
   TrueFalse
3. Some early samples were small.
   TrueFalse
4. The text says that bilingualism makes the brain definitely better.
   TrueFalse
5. Bilingualism offers social and cultural advantages.
   TrueFalse

1. Why is it difficult to prove a link between bilingualism and the brain?
2. Is it tiring to switch between languages?
3. Would you raise your own child as bilingual?
4. What benefits of knowing languages do you value most?

Common mistakes: may well / is likely to / is bound to + infinitive, and there is a good chance that + clause. Do not add to after may or be. ✗ It may well to be true → It may well be true. ✗ She is likely win → She is likely to win. ✗ He is bound being late → He is bound to be late.

1. It may well
   beto be
   true.
2. Bilinguals are likely
   switchingto switch
   quickly.
3. Interference is bound
   happento happen
   .
4. This effect is
   unlikely tonot likely
   be large.
5. There's a good chance
   whatthat
   attention is trained.
6. It
   would appearswould appear
   that the effect is small.
7. We can't
   rule outrule off
   that other factors matter.
8. It's too early
   to saysaying
   whether the benefit is real.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. It may well to be true. →
2. She is likely win the prize. →
3. He is bound being late. →
4. There is a good chance what it works. →
5. It would appears that the effect is small. →
6. We can't rule that other factors matter. →

Answer in detail. Use expressions of likelihood and the grammar from this block.

1. Do you think bilingualism changes the brain? Why, or why not?
2. What do you do when words from two languages come to mind at once?
3. How likely is it that a bilingual person is better at multitasking?
4. Is it too early to say that knowing languages protects the brain?
5. How much effort is it for you to switch to English?
6. What non-brain benefits of knowing languages are most important for you?

Three people discuss the bilingual brain. Compare them. Who is the most optimistic about its benefits? Who is the most cautious? Whose view is closest to yours?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe what happens in the bilingual brain, using careful language.
3. Part 2: say how likely it is that bilingualism has cognitive benefits and why.
4. Part 3: speculate about your own future with languages (may well, likely to, bound to).

1. Do you sometimes think in English?
2. Which language do you dream in?
3. Do you mix languages when you are tired?
4. Are you likely to use English more in the next five years?
5. Do you find it easier to focus in one language?
6. Is it likely that you will teach your child a second language?
7. Do you read in more than one language?
8. How do you feel after a long day in English?

1. Who in your family is bilingual?
2. Who mixes languages at home?
3. Who would you like to learn a language with?
4. Who first told you that languages are good for the brain?
5. Who is likely to learn another language soon?
6. Who switches fastest between languages?

1. Does bilingualism make people cleverer?
2. Should schools start second languages earlier?
3. Is it worth learning a language only for its brain benefits?
4. Is research on bilingualism reliable?
5. Are monolingual people at a disadvantage?