The ability to speak two languages is like a gift that keeps giving. Unless you’re bilingual yourself, you may not think about the many benefits it brings. So many people don’t consider hiring bilingual domestic help unless they feel there’s some tangible reason to do so. When it comes to hiring domestic help, people are often only concerned that their staff is fully capable of understanding them and that they can speak the same language, however hiring someone who speaks more than one language has many benefits you may not have ever considered.
Better Brainpower — Bilinguals Have it!
Did you know that every time you acquire a new skill that requires deep thinking such as learning a new language, our brains physically change, both structurally and functionally?
When we speak more than one language, our brain power improves. The brain networks become better integrated, they gain flexibility and ultimately make for faster and more efficient learning. In fact, according to Penn State News, bilingual speakers outperform those that only speak one language, or monolinguals, in particular, mental processing abilities.
Bilinguals outperform monolinguals in activities like focusing in on relevant information and taking out irrelevant information. Having these skills means that bilinguals are better at prioritizing tasks and multi-tasking.
The National Institute of Health did a study, “The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual,” in it they found that bilingual people often perform better on tasks that require conflict management.
The study goes on to state:
“Researchers have shown that the bilingual brain can have better attention and task-switching capacities than the monolingual brain, thanks to its developed ability to inhibit one language while using another. Besides, bilingualism has positive effects at both ends of the age spectrum: Bilingual children as young as seven months can better adjust to environmental changes, while bilingual seniors can experience less cognitive decline.”
Bilingual Bonding — Speaking Your Native Language
You may now live in one country, but maybe you were born in another. Hiring domestic help that can speak your native language will not only help in terms of communication with your domestic help, but you’ll bond better both culturally and socially.
As you communicate bilingually, your domestic help will quickly follow your flow as you intermingle languages, understanding every word, the conversation is easy. Staff is sure to clearly understand tasks and responsibilities as well as those nuances only a fellow bilingual can get. Having bilingual domestic help means never having to worry that something was lost in translation.
Bilingual Domestic Help — A Cultural Education for Everyone!
There’s nothing like immersing yourself in a different culture to better understand it. If you hire someone who speaks another language, you’re bound to learn something yourself. Having domestic help like nannies, estate managers, chefs, personal assistants and housekeepers who speak another language is priceless.
Built-In Translators: If a vendor or outside worker comes to your property and doesn’t speak your language, having someone on your staff who does, can be a huge help. Having domestic help that speaks another language ensures that communication can be smooth and natural without assuming someone who isn’t a native speaker understands you.
A Natural Education: Your bilingual domestic help can teach your kids without even trying. Kids are natural sponges and can absorb foreign languages just by being around them. Having a bilingual nanny who speaks their native language with your child may benefit your children by having them learn the language themselves — without having to hire a tutor!
Your children will benefit greatly if they do pick up a second language.
There are also health benefits associated with being bilingual. Bilingualism has been shown to delay Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The reason this may occur is as bilingual people maintain more than one language, it is shown that they are exercising the muscles in their brains. This is why they are able to ward off this type of mental deterioration. This is just another reason for wanting your baby to be bilingual.
If you’re monolingual and can’t give the gift of a second language to your child, having a bilingual domestic help around your baby speaking in another language is an excellent way to do that. Giving older kids consistent exposure and motivation to learn more than one language will also do the trick. Not to mention that it’s just beneficial overall for kids to develop relationships with a caring adult who speaks a different language. It’s also good for the entire family, especially if you’re trying to pick up a second language as well.
Sharing Food, Travel, and Fun: Domestic bilingual help can also be a cultural vacation without ever leaving home. Your domestic bilingual housekeeper may be from Sweden, India or France. Wherever they may be from you can learn a lot by asking them questions about where they came from. Inquiring about customs, traditions and of course, sharing recipes opens the door to learn about another culture without leaving home.
If you do ever plan on traveling to the country of your bilingual domestic help ’s origin, you’ll have a built-in travel guide. They’ll know where to go, what to see and what not to miss. If you travel together, you’ll have a native speaker among your group so getting around becomes so much easier. You won’t get lost, and you’ll have a trusted person on board to help you communicate with the people you’ll meet while you travel.
The Wellington Agency — Expert Domestic Bilingual Help is On the Way!
Whether you’re searching for bilingual domestic help, or if it doesn’t matter to you at all, the Wellington Agency can find you the perfect person to fit your particular situation. With a list of hand-selected candidates, The Wellington Agency sources the very best talent to meet all of your needs. We understand the importance of finding just the perfect person to trust with the care of your home.
The Wellington Agency has offices located across the globe to meet your staffing needs, especially when it comes to bilingual domestic help! Please call and let our dedicated associates assist you in finding that perfect person:
Palm Beach / Miami (561) 713-2663
New York / London (917) 546-6809
Los Angeles / Palos Verdes (310) 697-7191
Boston (617) 275-8190
