There are several benefits to learning a new language!
We all probably learned an extra language when we were younger. Only to forget about it as we got older. But did you know that it might actually be good for your brain to learn another language? Find out more below.
Neuroplasticity
When you were a child, you learned one language or more in school. But ever since you got older, you stopped using the part of your brain that becomes active when you learn a new language. Simply because, unless you live in a bilingual area, there was no reason for you to keep practicing French. But it might be beneficial to brush up on your Spanish. Because that could be a much needed workout for your brain. Patrick K. Porter, PhD, a neuroscience expert, award-winning author, and creator of BrainTap, explained to Real Simple: “If you’re not currently someone who speaks more than one language, by learning a new language you’re going to exercise a part of the brain that’s been dormant since you were around seven or eight years old. Doing these types of activities actually expands your ability to handle new situations and be creative with your solutions.” And when you use one part of your brain, you activate other parts too.
Benefits
According to research, people who speak more than one language have better memory, are better at solving problems and are more efficient at directing their attention. But those aren’t the only benefits. When you speak more than one language, you’re mentally flexible, creative and your brain has more white matter (which is a part of your brain responsible for helping you process information). Porter told Real Simple: “You can improve all areas of your life by practicing a new language,” Porter says. “[Scientific] papers show physical increases in certain regions of the brain, especially the hippocampus, which has to do with recall and storage of memories. This literal increase in thickness in the area of the brain allows there to be more neuroplasticity or neural pathways for cognitive function.”
So, time to get out some old study books and dive back into your German lessons.
Read more: How can you still learn a new language when you’re older?
Source: Real Simple | Image: Unsplash, Towfiqu Barbhuiya