Learning a Foreign Language Makes you Healthier

How do you think learning a foreign language can make you healthier?

You learned English for a job or for your future. What other reasons can learning a foreign language be good for you?

Studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a boost to your brain’s thinking process. The brains of people who speak two languages operate differently than single language speakers.

Many of these good results are only apparent in people who speak more than one language regularly. So your brain might reap these great benefits. However, people who begin language study in their adult lives can still achieve the same levels of fluency as a young learner, and still reap the same mental benefits, too.

You become smarter

Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain.  It gets your mind to recognize and, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving as well.

Students who speak foreign languages usually have it over those who only speak one language. And this is especially true, particularly in math, reading, and vocabulary.

You build multitasking skills

People who speak more than one language, especially children, are more skillful at changing between two systems of speech and writing. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, this “juggling” skill makes them good multitaskers. This is because they can easily change between different structures. In one study, participants used a driving simulator while doing separate, tasks at the same time. The research found that people who spoke more than one language made fewer mistakes in their driving.

You stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia

Several studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results show that those who speak two or more languages gain about 4 years.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=5, B=8, C=1, D=6, E=2, F=7, G=4, H=3

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1.      The economy was boosted last year by 20% more tourists spending money.

2.      He is late by one hour, it is apparent that he will not be coming.

3.      If you work hard, you will reap success.

4.      The new phone has excellent functionality, there are many more things you can do.

5.      The new features on this phone really has it over the competition phones.

6.      She is a good multitasker, she can talk to customers and cook food at the same time.

7.      I need to eat something now to stave off my hungry feeling.

8.      The show will be conducted at 7pm tomorrow night.

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1.      In what ways can learning another language boost your brain’s ability?

2.      As you learn English more, do you think there are things that become apparently easier or harder?

3.      What others benefits do you feel you have reaped from learning English?

4.      What are your favorite functions in your phone?

5.      What advantages does public transport have over driving a car in your city? What advantages does driving a car have over using public transport?

6.      Do you think multitasking is better in every job? When would it not be good?

7.      What other things besides learning another language can you do to stave off old age problems?

8.      What study or research would you like to see conducted? (i.e. What would you like to learn from research?)