Why is Bilingualism Good for the Rich but Bad for the Poor?

As a professor of bilingualism and second language acquisition, an EdTech entrepreneur developing bilingual assessments for Latinx children in the U.S., and an advocate for equitable education, I have long been troubled by America’s contradictory attitudes towards bilingualism. Our society celebrates bilingualism as a valuable asset for affluent, white children, seeing it as a path to global competitiveness and cultural enrichment. However, when it comes to the children of immigrant families — often children of color — bilingualism is viewed as a barrier that must be overcome rather than a strength to be nurtured. This double standard not only perpetuates educational inequities but also reinforces systemic biases that marginalize entire communities.

The Double Standard
Wealthy families invest heavily in language immersion programs, bilingual nannies, and study abroad experiences to give their children the “gift” of bilingualism and exposure to other cultures. They recognize that in our globalized world, proficiency in multiple languages is a valuable skill that can lead to better job prospects and higher earnings.
In contrast, when it comes to the children of immigrant families who may already speak a language other than English at home, our education system often pushes for the rapid acquisition of the English language and mainstream culture, at the expense of maintaining and developing their home language and heritage culture. This approach not only squanders a valuable personal and societal resource but also sends a damaging message to children about the value of their cultural heritage.

And the consequences of this disparity extend beyond linguistic and cultural preservation. A recent study by Churkina, Nazareno and Zullo (2023) found that fostering the development of bilingualism from a young age has the potential to “mitigate income inequality by enhancing the employment prospects of low-income individuals.” This finding underscores the role of bilingualism not just as a linguistic and cultural asset, but as a powerful tool for economic empowerment and social equity.

The Cost of Language Loss
The consequences of our nation’s misguided approach to bilingualism are profound and far-reaching. By neglecting to support home language development, particularly for children from bilingual and multilingual families, we inflict significant harm on individual children, their families, and society as a whole:

• Educational Setbacks: Misplacements and prolonged stays in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education programs delay Latinx students’ academic progress, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their peers.
• Increased Dropout Rates: Latinx students and English learners drop out of high school at rates significantly higher than white students, driven by language barriers and inadequate support systems.
• Reduced College Access: The combination of educational setbacks and increased dropout rates significantly reduces these students’ chances of entering college, closing the door to higher education and the opportunities it provides for upward mobility.
• Limited Economic Opportunities: Balanced bilinguals typically enjoy higher occupational prestige and earnings potential. By failing to nurture bilingualism, we limit the economic prospects of these children, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
• Diminished Cognitive Advantages: Bilingualism is linked to enhanced executive function, superior problem-solving skills, and even delayed onset of dementia. Suppressing bilingual development denies children these cognitive benefits.
• Fractured Family Bonds: Language loss creates communication barriers between children and their non-English speaking relatives, leading to intergenerational disconnect and weakened family support systems.
• Cultural Erosion: Language is deeply tied to culture and identity. As children lose their home language, they often feel disconnected from their heritage, leading to identity crises and a diminished sense of belonging.
• Stunted Social-Emotional Growth: The erosion of cultural identity and weakened family ties can severely impair a child’s social-emotional development, affecting their self-esteem, sense of belonging, and overall well-being.
• National Loss: On a broader scale, this subtractive approach fails to take advantage of the rich linguistic diversity that could enhance our nation’s global competitiveness, cultural wealth, and societal cohesion.

The Economic and Social Justice Imperative
Our current approach to bilingual education is not only economically shortsighted but also perpetuates deep social injustices that impact our nation’s competitiveness. The demand for bilingual workers in the U.S. is rapidly increasing, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, governance, and education, where language access is essential to ensure fairness and inclusion.

In healthcare, bilingual professionals are crucial for providing equitable access to medical services, improving patient outcomes, and bridging the communication gap that often leaves non-English-speaking patients vulnerable and underserved. Government agencies at all levels are increasingly prioritizing multilingual communication to effectively serve diverse communities, acknowledging that language access is a matter of rights and representation, not just convenience.

In the education sector, the demand for certified bilingual teachers is surging as dual language programs gain support at federal, state, and local levels. These programs not only enhance learning outcomes but also affirm the cultural identities of students from diverse backgrounds, promoting a more inclusive and just educational system. The Biden-Harris Administration’s “Being Bilingual is a Superpower” initiative highlights the recognition of bilingualism’s value, pushing for multilingual education that opens doors to economic mobility and opportunity.

However, by neglecting to develop the bilingual skills of children from immigrant families, we are reinforcing systemic inequities that deny these students access to the same opportunities as their peers. This failure actively disadvantages them in an increasingly competitive job market and perpetuates cycles of economic disparity.

Moreover, we are ignoring a valuable national resource: the rich linguistic diversity within our communities. By not nurturing bilingual talent, we not only miss out on enhancing our workforce but also on building a society where language is a bridge rather than a barrier. Promoting bilingualism is not just about economic gain — it’s about justice, equity, and embracing the full potential of all our children, regardless of their background.

Embracing Bilingualism as an Asset
Instead of viewing the home languages of immigrant families as obstacles to be overcome, we should see them as assets to be developed. Dual language education programs have been showing excellent results, allowing children to develop strong language and literacy skills in both English and their home language.
As an entrepreneur, an immigrant, the mother of bilingual children, and a professor dedicated to working with current and future teachers, I’m making my contribution to the field and to my community by developing a bilingual assessment platform that allows schools and districts to measure the success of their dual language programs and make more informed programmatic decisions, while providing instructional support to teachers and a better way to communicate progress and achievement to parents. Our solution recognizes the assets that Latinx children bring with them to school and allows them to show comprehension by using the full breadth of their linguistic repertoire. We aim to provide a more accurate picture of a child’s abilities and potential, rather than continue to penalize them for their developing bilingualism.

Championing Equity Through Bilingual Education
America must confront and reconcile its conflicting attitudes towards bilingualism. To create a more just and inclusive society, we must extend our appreciation and support for language skills to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By prioritizing the bilingual development of children from immigrant families through dual language education in public schools, we are not just enhancing their economic opportunities; we are also affirming their cultural identities and creating a richer, more diverse, and well-adjusted society.
Bilingualism should not remain a privilege reserved for the wealthy but recognized as a fundamental right and opportunity accessible to all. Promoting equitable access to bilingual education is an essential step toward dismantling the social and economic barriers that hold back marginalized communities. It is a matter of social justice and a commitment to building a future where every child, regardless of their heritage or financial status, can thrive and contribute to a more inclusive and linguistically diverse nation.

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Dr. Rocío Raña, co-founder and CEO of BLAST, leads a technology company focused on equity and improving educational outcomes for bilingual Latinx children. BLAST is a bilingual literacy assessment platform that helps educators make informed decisions, evaluate curriculum, and personalize instruction. Inspired by her own children’s experiences as Spanish-English speakers in the U.S., Dr. Raña saw the need for better assessment tools for children from bi/multilingual and non-English-speaking households. Her work has earned support from the National Science Foundation and NewSchools Venture Fund. Dr. Raña is now dedicated to expanding BLAST’s reach to benefit more bilingual and multilingual students across the U.S.