Benefits Learning Languages

Benefits of learning another language

And there are many!

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Benefits of learning a new language

In a globalized world, where mobility is facilitated, learning a language is a wonderful benefit. Not only does it help when travelling, it is also a great advantage for studying in general and for career prospects abroad. Acquiring a second language enables us to develop various mental abilities at all ages.

1. Boosts brain power

A foreign language is a whole new intricate system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means your brain has to cope with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns. As our brains work out the meaning, endeavouring to communicate, we develop key learning skills such as cognitive thinking and problem-solving. Highly developed critical thinking skills are a significant benefit both personally and professionally.

2. Improves memory

Use it or lose it. How many times have you heard that phrase? It is a simple fact – the more the brain is used, the better its functions work. A new language requires not only familiarity with vocabulary and rules, but also being able to recall and apply this knowledge. Learning a language gives your memory a good work out in the brain gym. This means that multilingual people have brains that are more exercised and quick to recall names, directions, facts, and figures.

3. Enhances the ability to multi-task

Multi-tasking is very stressful for those who are not used to it or don’t do it well. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, people who are multilingual and proficient at slipping from one language system to another are practiced at this very demanding work for the brain. People who have developed the ability to think in different languages and move from one to the other become much better multi-taskers, reducing stress levels.

4. Sharpens the mind

A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra revealed that multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They easily spot anything that is irrelevant or deceptive. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. The study was conducted comparing multilingual and monolingual subjects and the former had the edge by quite a margin. Is it any surprise that famous, fictional detective characters such as Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot are skilled linguists?

5. Keeps the mind sharper for longer

Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results are consistent. Language learning keeps your brain healthy. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. Studies considered factors such as education level, income level, gender, and physical health, without any change in the results.

6. Enhances decision-making

According to a study from the University of Chicago, decision-making ability becomes an easier process for multilingual people. Aside from the rules and vocabulary that go with learning a foreign language, there are nuances and regional expressions that a student of language frequently judges for appropriateness and hidden meanings. Multilinguals are more confident in their decision-making choices as a result of practice, practice, practice!

7. The first language is improved

Learning a new language makes you more conscious of the nuts and bolts of your own language. Terms such as vocabulary, grammar, conjugation, comprehension, idioms and sentence structure become everyday phrases, whereas your own language is probably absorbed more intuitively. Learning a new language also makes you a better listener as you are used to having to interpret meaning and judge nuances.

8. Improves performance in other academic areas

As a result of higher cognitive skills, studies show that the benefits of learning a new language include higher scores on standardised exams in maths, reading comprehension and vocabulary by multilingual students compared to the scores of monolingual students. Children may ask why they have to learn this language, but parents and teachers know better! Language skills boost your ability to do well in problem-solving tasks across the board, a fact recognized through compulsory foreign language learning curricula in schools.

9. Increases networking skills

Opening up to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciative of other people’s opinions and actions. As a result, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different viewpoints, enhancing your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.

10. Provides better career choices

According to one survey, 89% of employers stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% stated that recruiting team members with language skills is important to their organisation. A multilingual ability is definitely a competitive edge in today’s world. Language learning helps develop strong cognitive skills, such as a better concept formation, mental flexibility, multitasking, listening skills and problem-solving, in addition to improving social interaction and encouraging connection between peers. What’s your next language?

Vocabulary

End of reading comprehension

nuances

small differences

There were nuances in the wine's flavour.

developed

made better

They developed the abandoned castle into a hotel.

prospects

possibilities or expectations

I don't like his prospects of winning.

income

The money you get from working and investments.

Lawyers generally have high income.

surroundings

your environment; the things arround you

As a spy, he was always conscious of his surroundings.

nuts and bolts

the basic, practical elements or aspects of something; essentials

You need to learn the nuts and bolts of running a company.

endeavouring

making an effort; trying

I endeavour to eat fruit three times a day.

demanding

difficult; requiring lots of effort

Training for the marathon was one of the most demanding things I've ever done.

misleading

making you believe something that is not true

The advert on the television was misleading.

edge

something that makes you stand out; an advantage

We tried our hardest but they just had the edge over us.

boost

increase or improve

When I eat pasta I get an energy boost.

the mean

the average; la media

The mean of all the tests was 75%.

across the board

in every area of something; affecting everything or everyone

The boss has given across-the-board pay rises. Everybody is getting more money!

recall

remember

I don't recall where I was that day.

networking

making and maintaining connections and friendships that can help you

The party is a good opportunity to do some networking.

benefit

helpful or good effect

I really feel the benefit of doing exercise every day.

peers

people of the same age, social position, ability, etc.

Girls just want to be accepted by their peers.

cope

deal with (superar) a difficult situation

You coped very well when your wife was away.

fact

something known to be true

It is a fact that the Earth goes around the Sun.

spot

see; notice

My teacher always spotted my mistakes.

proficient

able; skilled; good at doing something

By practicing, I became a proficient swimmer.

compulsory

obligatory

Military service is no longer compulsory.

career

the work a person chooses to do in their life

She wants to have a career as a scientist.

slipping

moving easily from one thing or place to another, often without being noticed

The actor slipped between characters in the blink of an eye.

enhancing

making better; improving

Lots of athletes take performance-enhancing drugs.

encouraging

giving help, support or approval to

My parents were always encouraging me to read more.

Vocabulary Words

This exercise is interactive. Click on the little '+' signs and a window opens to help with vocabulary. Sometimes you need to click inside the window to hear the pronunciation of the word. Other times it will happen automatically.

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