Language Learning: One of The Best Things You Can do For Your Brain
We’ve previously talked about the importance of new learning for keeping your brain in tip-top shape, and today we’re taking that concept a little further. One of the best and most documented ways to stimulate our grey matter and improve the health of our brains is to learn a new language. Let’s find out why.
Bilinguals have better brain health?
As with other forms of new learning, practicing the skill of learning a language promotes the brain’s neuroplasticity. Think of this like a kind of “mental gymnasium,” in which your brain is working hard to form new neurons and connections, as well as strengthen its existing pathways.
Physical changes
Not only does language learning enable your brain to form new connections, but it has also been linked to long-term physical changes. Those who are bilingual and juggle between two languages, for example, are constantly engaging parts of the brain that those who only speak one language simply aren’t.
A bigger brain
Interestingly, MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging scans, have been able to pick up on the areas of the brain that are activated during language learning tasks.
A Swedish study noted that the brains of participants who studied languages showed a statistically significant increase in size. This change was seen in comparison to the control group, who studied other equally intensive non-linguistic fields and revealed no change in brain size in MRI scans.
Growth was seen in those studying a new language largely within the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
Cognitive changes
As well as having positive impacts on the health of the brain, learning a language has also been shown to improve cognitive performance in a number of ways.
The ongoing novelty element of language learning coupled with consistent practice and engagement has revealed improved memory recall skills and concentration levels in several studies.
It’s also been tied to higher levels of general intelligence, improved decision-making skills, sharper focus, and greater multi-tasking abilities.
Keep your brain young
Still need another reason to learn a new language? How about the fact that it slows the brain’s natural aging process? A study published in the Annals of Neurology suggested that being bilingual could delay age-related cognitive decline and the onset of dementia by several years. Not to mention that it can also promote better all-round mental health by improving overall mood.
Although many of these studies have focused on bilingualism, it’s important to note that as little as 15 minutes a day of practicing a new language can show noteworthy improvements to brain health and cognitive functioning over the space of just a few months. Even better news? You really are never too old to start! So, what are you waiting for?