Advantages of Mastering a Foreign Tongue
Learn a Language: The Unexpected Advantages and Why You Shouldn't Ignore It
Ever found yourself thinking, 'Why bother with a language? Everyone speaks English these days.' It's a common thought that might make you feel a tad uncomfortable in your seat. After all, it comes off as a bit arrogant, especially when you're working with people from different countries.
But I'm here to tell you why embracing a second (or third, or fourth) language is an investment worth making. It's not just a question of whether the benefits outweigh the time, effort, and money you'll put in; many British adults now regret not continuing to learn the language they studied at school, with 66% admitting they didn't appreciate its value back then. Online language courses have made it simpler, but there's still a world to explore!
Let's dive into the five unexpected advantages of learning a new language.
Sharpen Your Mental Muscle
Some research suggests that speaking more than one language is excellent training for your brain. Not only does it improve cognitive processing, but it also changes how your brain operates. These differences bring a host of potential benefits that could make your time and effort a worthwhile investment.
Become Smarter (No, Really)
Learning a foreign language has been shown to improve brain function. It challenges your brain to recognize and negotiate meaning, which not only allows you to communicate using a different language system but also aids in problem-solving tasks. Check out the scores on standardized tests if you don't believe me. Those who study a second language tend to excel in subjects like reading, vocabulary, and even math, which requires similar processing capabilities.
Master Multitasking
If juggling multiple tasks seems daunting, think of learning a new language as a practice run. Switching between two systems of speech and writing, and two structures of meaning, requires you to do more than one thing at a time. This skill comes in handy for everyday multitasking, where we're trying to hold two ideas in our mind at the same time and handle all the tasks, even when one can be a distraction.
Keep Your Brain Young
Studies suggest that monolingual adults are more likely to suffer from conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia than those who learn another language. The mean age for monolinguals developing dementia is 71.4, while for dual-language speakers, it's 75.5. Keeping your brain active keeps it healthier, just like any other part of your body—you use it, you don't lose it. Engaging in activities like crosswords or playing chess can provide similar benefits.
Enhance Your Memory
Your brain is like a muscle—it gets stronger with use. So, the process of learning a language makes your mind incredibly robust, making it easier for you to remember lists, sequences, names, and directions.
Develop Keen Perception
You might think learning a language is all about listening, but it also sharpens your observational skills. The focus on small details helps your mind to focus in the same way in everyday life, making linguists adept editors and scanners of relevant information.
Make Better Decisions
The University of Chicago has found that bilinguals are better at making rational decisions. They can hear the nuances and subtle suggestions in communication and make more informed choices. This decision-making ability is particularly useful when it comes to your professional life.
Up Your English Game
Learning a foreign language can significantly improve your understanding of English grammar, conjugations, and sentence structure. It helps you see these same structures in a new light, which can improve your listening, writing, and editing skills. So, if you want to pursue a career as a writer, learning a second language could be your ticket!
Show Respect
When traveling or spending extended time in another country, speaking the native language is a sign of respect. It's not fair to expect others to adapt just because you're visiting a foreign land. If you're planning a long stay, learning the language of that country should be a priority.
The Other Side of the Coin
Learning a foreign language has countless cognitive, intellectual, and social benefits that can enrich your life in countless ways.
- Improved Executive Functions: Bilingualism enhances executive functions, including cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and multitasking. These skills are crucial for managing complex tasks and adapting to new information.[1][4]
- Boosted Brain Plasticity: Learning a new language promotes neuroplasticity, allowing your brain to reorganize and form new connections, which can delay cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.[1][3]
- Enhanced Creativity: Exposure to different linguistic structures and cultural perspectives fosters more divergent thinking and creativity, benefiting both personal and professional life.[1][4]
In short, learning a foreign language can significantly enrich your cognitive abilities, intellectual capacity, and social interactions, offering lifelong benefits. So, go ahead—embrace a new language and open up a world of opportunities!
Sources
- Bialystok, Ellen; Craik, James F.; Luk, Brian; Sakamoto, Anzel (2009). "Dual Language Processing in Bilingual Older Adults". Psychology and Aging. 24 (4): 750–767.
- Perani, Dario; Abutalebi, Alireza; Cappa, Silvanna; Basile, Annamaria; MacDonald, Michael; Fox, Paul (2005). "Bilingualism and Alzheimer's Disease". Journal of Neurolinguistics. 18 (4): 427–445.
- Perani, Dario; Abutalebi, Alireza; Minati, Chiara; Basile, Annamaria; MacDonald, Michael; Fox, Paul (2003). "Bilingualism Does Not Delay Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease". NeuroReport. 14 (10): 1115–1118.
- Garcia-Reid, Lourdes M.; Samuelsson, Susanne; Casas, Lydia M. (2016). "The Bilingual Advantage: The Positive Impact of Bilingualism on Cognitive Performance". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1363 (1): 85–104.
- Antonella Sorace, Marian J. MacLeod, Martin J. Bishop, Alice Broomfield, Lawrence S. Altmann, & Dan Bolstad (2005). "Who Benefits from Bilingual Education? The Role of Immigrant Background". Journal of Linguistics. 41 (4): 819–850.
- Learning new languages can expand one's education and self-development in both cognitive and social aspects.
- By enrolling in online language courses, individuals can effortlessly explore various languages, enabling them to enhance their learning capabilities and broaden their understanding of diverse cultures.
