Giovanni Giovannelli

Key contributors:

Unlocking
Jessica Yarbro and
Mike Mayor.

Creativity
How learning a
second language
fuels innovative
thinking
 Whilst creativity is often thought of as an innate talent,
research suggests that it’s actually a skill that can
be developed and enhanced – and learning a second
language may be one way to boost this ability.
– Giovanni Giovannelli, President English language Learning, Pearson

Unlocking Creativity: How learning a second language

fuels innovative thinking
Imagine a room filled with bright young candidates, each given a complex problem to solve. As
they strategize and brainstorm, a pattern becomes evident: those who speak multiple languages
approach the challenge with unique, creative solutions. This was the scene I still remember, eight
years ago in Brazil, when we launched our groundbreaking trainee program at Pearson. The lesson
was clear – language learning isn’t just about communication—it’s about expanding how we think.

The concept of “creativity” can often seem like a mysterious force, a natural gift that some people
are born with and others are not. This is not the case. At its core, creativity is the ability to produce
novel and useful ideas, ideas that are not only original but that also serve some purpose1. Inventing a
recipe, brainstorming new ideas for a product, or even solving a conflict with friends all use creativity.
So whilst creativity is often thought of as an innate talent, research suggests that it’s actually a skill
that can be developed and enhanced2 – and learning a second language may be one way to boost
this ability.

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 Unlocking Creativity
How learning a second language fuels innovative thinking

 tudies show that individuals who speak more than one

S
language perform better on tasks that require cognitive
flexibility.

What is it about learning a second language that might enhance creativity? It all comes down to
how the brain manages multiple languages. Moving between two (or more) languages is a juggling
act that requires cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to modify your thinking in response to
changing situations or new information. People who know multiple languages regularly practice
this skill as they switch between languages, adapt to different grammatical structures, and search
for the right words and phrases. Studies show that individuals who speak more than one language
perform better on tasks that require cognitive flexibility3,4. As a fluent speaker of several languages,
this juggling act has become almost second nature to me. Through years of dedicated language
learning and practice, I no longer have to consciously think about switching between languages—it
just happens naturally, and it’s something I deeply appreciate. For example, I might be talking to
colleagues in one language and then seamlessly switch to another when I get a phone call. This
effortless switch between languages not only refreshes me but also gives me a special kind of
energy that I am very grateful for.

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 This mental agility isn’t just useful for communicating in another language. It spills over into other
areas of life, promoting divergent thinking, which is a core component of creativity. Divergent
thinking is the ability to flexibly produce many new and different ideas or solutions. In other words,
it is the raw material of creative potential. Studies comparing monolinguals and bilinguals found
a bilingual advantage on divergent thinking tasks5,6. They were better at coming up with a variety
of original ideas. When people switch between languages, they often find themselves exploring
different ways to express the same idea, which in turn strengthens their capacity to think flexibly
and from multiple perspectives. This is something I’ve experienced personally as well. I particularly
remember when I first moved to Brazil without speaking Portuguese. After a few months of learning
the language, I noticed that I started to see things differently, viewing tasks and problems from new
perspectives.

 tudies comparing monolinguals and bilinguals found a

S
bilingual advantage on divergent thinking tasks. They were
better at coming up with a variety of original ideas.

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 Unlocking Creativity
How learning a second language fuels innovative thinking

 esearch suggests that multicultural experiences, like living

R
in a new country, are linked to increased creativity.

And there’s more to learning other languages than just the acquisition of new language skills; it
also offers a window into different cultures. When learning a second language people often learn
about the culture it represents as well or even travel to experience that culture firsthand. Research
suggests that multicultural experiences, like living in a new country, are linked to increased creativity7.
In fact, one study reported that individuals who had lived in a new cultural setting for the longest
time, speaking the local language, also had the strongest divergent thinking skills8. Multicultural
experiences may require individuals to step outside their comfort zones, promoting a general
openness to the unknown. Exposure to a new culture also opens people up to new ways of thinking,
such as recognizing that the same behavior may have very different connotations in different
cultures. Learning another language doesn’t just add vocabulary – it adds layers of cultural richness
that could fuel imaginative and original thinking.

 hether you’re a student, a professional, or someone

W
simply looking to expand your horizons, learning another
language might just be the key to unlocking your
creative potential.

One of the most exciting implications of the link between learning additional languages and creativity
is its potential impact on group settings, such collaborative projects at work. Culturally diverse teams
often demonstrate more creativity and stronger problem-solving abilities9. When team members
bring diverse experiences, they’re more likely to share a wider range of information, perspectives,
and ideas with each other10. This rich exchange of knowledge sets the stage for higher levels of team
creativity. People who know additional languages frequently straddle multiple cultural worlds, which
positions them to play a pivotal role in fostering this kind of creative synergy.

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 I see this every day at work. My division at Pearson brings together individuals with diverse languages
and cultural backgrounds, and I’m always amazed by how unpredictable the outcomes of our
conversations can be. We had an offsite earlier this year with my leadership team and when we
discussed product innovation, the breadth of the languages and experiences around the table made
a real difference. I genuinely believe that a team made up of individuals speaking the same first
language and sharing the same cultural experiences would not be as creative.

Learning another language offers much more than just the ability to communicate in that language.
It has the potential to enhance creativity, nurtured through the mental flexibility of juggling languages
and the broadened perspectives gained from multicultural experiences. Whether you’re a student, a
professional, or someone simply looking to expand your horizons, learning another language might
just be the key to unlocking your creative potential. So why not embrace the adventure of learning
another language? Your brain – and your creativity – will thank you for it.

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 Unlocking Creativity
How learning a second language fuels innovative thinking

References
 Lai, E. R., Yarbro, J., DiCerbo, K., & de Geest, E. (2018). Skills for Today: What We Know about
1

Teaching and Assessing Creativity. London: Pearson.

2
 Kaufman, J. C., & Beghetto, R. A. (2009). Beyond big and little: The four C model of creativity.
Review of General Psychology, 13(1), 1–12.
3
 Bialystok, E., & Senman, L. (2004). Executive processes in appearance-reality tasks: the role of
inhibition of attention and symbolic representation. Child Dev. 75, 562–579.
4
 Prior, A., & MacWhinney, B. (2010). A bilingual advantage in task switching. Bilingualism: Language
and cognition, 13(2), 253-262.
5
 Ghonsooly, B., & Showqi, S. (2012). The Effects of Foreign Language Learning on Creativity. English
Language Teaching, 5(4), 161-167.
6
 Kharkhurin, A. V. (2008). The effect of linguistic proficiency, age of second language acquisition,
and length of exposure to a new cultural environment on bilinguals’ divergent thinking.
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 11(2), 225-243.
7
 Maddux, W. W., & Galinsky, A. D. (2009). Cultural borders and mental barriers: The relationship
between living abroad and creativity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96(5), 1047–
1061.
8
 Kharkhurin, A. V. (2008). The effect of linguistic proficiency, age of second language acquisition,
and length of exposure to a new cultural environment on bilinguals’ divergent thinking.
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 11(2), 225-243.
9
 Tadmor, C. T., Satterstrom, P., Jang, S., & Polzer, J. T. (2012). Beyond individual creativity: The
superadditive benefits of multicultural experience for collective creativity in culturally diverse
teams. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 43(3), 384-392.
10
 Li, C. R., Lin, C. J., Tien, Y. H., & Chen, C. M. (2017). A multilevel model of team cultural diversity and
creativity: The role of climate for inclusion. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 51(2), 163-179.

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 Giovanni Giovannelli

About the author

Giovanni Giovannelli, known as Gio, has led Pearson’s English Language Learning
division since 2021. With over 25 years of global leadership experience spanning
Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia, Gio has previously served as President
of Pearson’s International Markets and held CEO positions at four prominent
companies in Brazil. In addition to these executive roles, he has been a board
member for leading BOVESPA-listed companies, including Natura and CVC
Viagens. Gio holds a PhD in Economics from Bocconi University and completed
the OPM program at Harvard Business School.

Gio’s leadership is driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of language

learning. Born in Italy, his fascination with languages began at age seven with
English. He later became fluent in Portuguese while working in Brazil, and his
English skills helped him advance in multinational corporations. Alongside Italian,
English, and Portuguese, Gio is also fluent in Spanish and French, viewing language
as a vital enrichment to both his personal and professional life.

Follow Gio on LinkedIn for the latest updates

from Pearson English Language Learning.

pearson.com/languages