Abstract: Recent researches on the influence of bilingualism on cognition are reviewed and both the negative and positive impacts of bilingualism on cognitive functions are discussed with a focus on the latter. Bilingualism can enhance central executive function and bilinguals possess advantages in many cognitive functions(both verbal and non-verbal) related to central executive function. It is suggested that bilinguals’ advantage in various cognitive functions may not only be a by-product of the inhibition practice in bilingual language usage, but also be related to the enhancement of bilateral communication of their brain functioning due to the second language acquisition. Finally, some suggestions on future research are proposed.

Key words: bilingualism, cognition, central executive function