Professor Ellen Bialystok's study cited in Psychology Today story on bilingualism and relationships

New research shows that bilingual speakers have a distinct advantage over monolinguals, wrote Psychology Today July 6, in a story about couples therapy and the concept of mindful listening. The advantage goes deeper than being able to converse proficiently with people that speak that "other" language – although this is a huge advantage. Research demonstrates […]

Professor Ellen Bialystok speaks to the New York Times about the bilingual advantage

A cognitive neuroscientist, Ellen Bialystok has spent almost 40 years learning about how bilingualism sharpens the mind, wrote The New York Times May 30: Her good news: Among other benefits, the regular use of two languages appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Dr. Bialystok, 62, a distinguished research professor of psychology at […]

LA Times cites Professor Ellen Bialystok in bilingualism story

Neuroscience researchers are increasingly coming to a consensus that bilingualism has many positive consequences for the brain, wrote the Los Angeles Times Feb. 26, in story that also appeared in the Chicago Tribune and on numerous US television news websites. Several such researchers travelled to this month’s annual meeting of the American Association for the […]

Professor Ellen Bialystok's report on Alzheimer's and bilingualism makes world headlines

Mastering a second language can pump up your brain in ways that seem to delay getting Alzheimer's disease later on, scientists said Friday, wrote The Associated Press and The Canadian Press Feb. 18 [via sympatico.ca], in a story that was featured in reports by more than 300 newspapers, television stations and radio stations around the […]

Toronto Star covers York-Baycrest research collaboration on Alzheimer's disease and bilingualism

Bilingual speakers can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and its symptoms for between four and five years, according to studies conducted by researchers at Toronto’s Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, wrote the Toronto Star Oct. 15 : In a soon to be published study three researchers from Baycrest – Ellen Bialystok, Fergus Craik and […]

Professor Ellen Bialystok interviewed in The Wall Street Journal about building more resilient brains

A lifetime of speaking two or more languages appears to pay off in old age, with recent research showing the symptoms of dementia can be delayed by an average of four years in bilingual people, wrote The Wall Street Journal online Oct. 11: Over time, regularly speaking more than one language appears to strengthen skills […]

History Professor Marcel Martel: RCMP had files on Canadians for or against bilingualism during 1960s and 1970s

What few people realize when looking at French and English language rights issues across the country is that the RCMP were instructed to open files on individuals and organizations both for and against bilingualism in the 1960s and 1970s, says York history Professor Marcel Martel, co-author of a new book. “It raises some serious questions,” […]

Audio: York developmental psychology professor speaks to Metro Morning about winning the Killam Prize

York University Professor Ellen Bialystok spoke to CBC's "Metro Morning" April 14 about winning the prestigious Killam Prize for outstanding career achievement. The award provides five winners with $100,000 to support their research. Bialystok, a Distinguished Research Professor in York’s Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, is known internationally for her research on language, bilingualism […]

York developmental psychology professor wins Killam Prize

York University Professor Ellen Bialystok has been awarded the prestigious Killam Prize for outstanding career achievement. Bialystok, a Distinguished Research Professor in York’s Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, is known internationally for her research on language, bilingualism and cognitive development. She received the award this morning from the Canada Council for the Arts, which […]

York study finds bilingualism boosts children's focus

Bilingualism gives children a distinct cognitive advantage over their monolingual peers, says a study by York psychology Professor Ellen Bialystok. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, finds that bilingual children outperform monolingual students on tasks involving executive control – the cognitive processes that allow for abstract thinking, planning, initiating and inhibiting actions. Three separate […]