Many Amity College students speak a language other than English at home. These home languages are not a disadvantage – indeed, they are a valuable asset which support academic success, strengthen cultural identity and nurture emotional wellbeing.
Across our campuses in Prestons, Auburn, Leppington and the Illawarra, we celebrate students’ multilingual backgrounds. Whether it’s Arabic, Turkish, Urdu or any of the many languages spoken in our community, each one contributes to a more vibrant, connected and inclusive school experience, grounded in shared cultural values.
Research from institutions such as the University of Cambridge and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages confirms that bilingualism helps children learn better, think more creatively and become more socially aware.
Closer to home, findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and the University of Melbourne show that bilingual children generally perform as well as or better than their peers in literacy and problem-solving, while also developing stronger social and cultural values awareness. This blog explores the many benefits of being bilingual - at school, at home and beyond.
How Bilingualism Boosts Brainpower and Academic Success
Bilingual students enjoy significant cognitive advantages, which means that their brains are sharper in key learning areas. Constantly switching between two languages strengthens memory, focus, problem-solving and attention control. These are all essential for mastering maths, science, reading and writing.
In fact, studies show bilingual students often outperform monolingual peers in academic areas like reasoning, literacy and comprehension. One reason is that bilingual children develop what’s called metalinguistic awareness – the ability to think about and understand language as a system. This helps with everything from understanding complex instructions to writing creatively.
And the benefits aren’t limited to academics. Bilingualism improves mental flexibility and strengthens executive function (the brain's ability to plan, organise and focus). These are the same skills that help students stay on task, solve tricky problems and manage stress in busy school environments.
Language Builds Identity, Culture and Confidence
Language holds our cultural roots. For many students, speaking their home language helps maintain a strong cultural identity. It keeps them connected to their family's cultural values, stories, traditions and ways of thinking.
With students from more than 50 cultural backgrounds, Amity College encourages every learner to embrace their full identity. This rich multiculturalism helps create a school community that is inclusive and respectful - where students grow by learning not just about themselves, but about each other.
Preserving a home language helps students develop self-confidence and resilience – both crucial for navigating adolescence and academic pressure. When students feel proud of their cultural roots and language, they’re more likely to participate, lead and strive for excellence.
Stronger Family Bonds Through Shared Language
One of the most powerful reasons to preserve a home language is family connection. Language strengthens emotional ties and allows meaningful communication with parents, grandparents and extended family members. Many families share cultural wisdom and values, humour and life lessons through everyday conversations in their heritage language.
These conversations often include idioms, proverbs and expressions that can’t be easily translated – they carry the richness of family history. Families who maintain their home language often report better communication and stronger relationships, which in turn supports children’s emotional wellbeing and readiness to learn at school.
At Amity College, we see time and again how language helps students stay grounded in their cultural roots and more connected to their families. It’s one of the many reasons we encourage families to keep using their home language proudly.
How Amity Supports and Celebrates Bilingualism
Amity College’s commitment to bilingualism is reflected across our curriculum, events and culture. Through activities like Harmony Day, language-themed assemblies, Eid celebrations and other cultural festivals, students are encouraged to share their heritage with pride.
We offer formal language electives such as Arabic and Turkish, allowing students to strengthen literacy in their home language while exploring its cultural values. At the same time, we place strong emphasis on developing proficient English skills to ensure every student can succeed academically and socially in Australia’s education system.
Our teachers also work closely with families to understand students’ language backgrounds and provide support where needed. We recognise that language is deeply linked to identity, confidence and academic success. The result? A community where multilingualism is seen as an asset, not a barrier.
Schools like Amity play a powerful role in promoting multilingual learning environments - and we are always refining our approach to meet student needs. In many ways, you could even see this as our own ongoing cultural values assessment - how we reflect, respond and adapt to ensure our values are more than words on a page.
Facing Challenges and Busting Myths About Bilingualism
While the benefits are clear, many families face challenges as children begin to prefer English over their home language - especially during adolescence. It’s common for children to mix languages or respond in English even when spoken to in another language.
Here’s how families can keep the home language alive:
- Speak your home language during meals, car rides or family activities
- Encourage bilingual books and media
- Play word games and tell stories in your language
- Praise and encourage any effort your child makes to speak it
- Stay consistent, even when it feels like a struggle
It’s also important to clear up some common myths:
- Myth 1: “Bilingual kids get confused and fall behind in English.”
- Truth: Mixing languages is a natural and healthy part of learning. Studies show bilingual kids often excel in English later on.
- Myth 2: “They’ll catch up faster if we just speak English at home.”
- Truth: Maintaining your home language actually supports better literacy in English and helps with long-term academic growth.
- Myth 3: “It’s too late to start.”
- Truth: It’s never too late. Even teenagers can improve their home language with consistent practice, encouragement and exposure.
Supporting bilingualism takes time, patience and positivity - but the rewards are long-lasting.
Why Bilingualism Is a Gift for the Future
Bilingualism gives students the tools to engage confidently across cultures, solve real-world problems and contribute meaningfully to today’s diverse society. Employers across industries like business, education, law, healthcare and diplomacy, to name just a handful, value language skills and cultural values awareness more than ever before.
Bilingual graduates often find opportunities to work internationally, engage with diverse communities and contribute meaningfully to a global society. And it’s not just about career success - bilingual individuals tend to be more open-minded, adaptable and empathetic, qualities essential for leadership and lifelong learning.
For educators and parents, this is a long-term investment in character, identity and opportunity. The vast majority of bilingual children grow into a confident, compassionate adults - with strong cultural roots and a clear sense of self.
Your Language Matters So Keep It Alive
At Amity College, every part of our students’ identities is valued. That includes their home languages, cultural traditions and cultural values. We encourage every family to speak, share and celebrate their heritage language at home - it’s one of the best ways to support long-term success.
If you’re a parent wondering whether to continue speaking your native language at home, the answer is definitely yes! Your words shape your child’s thinking, self-esteem and view of the world.
Let’s continue to build a school community where language diversity is celebrated, and every student can succeed by being authentically themselves.
Want to Learn More?
Our Amity College website shows how we support bilingual learners and celebrate cultural values in a diverse and inclusive environment.
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