Learning a second language, whether it is at a young age or not, has a variety of benefits. It is no surprise that approximately 50% of the global population has declared themselves as bilinguals or multilinguals, and handling two languages can enhance many aspects of a human’s life. A great number of scientific studies, such as the ones conducted by Cambridge University, proved that from cognition to relationships, working, studying, reading, or even watching a TV show, being bilingual might be a significant advantage.
Increase Mental Function
Studies involving MRI scanners suggest that bilingual people show notorious activations in the frontal lobes, which are highly associated with cognitive activity, including attention, multitasking, inhibition, and working memory. These skills are unconsciously used on a daily basis in almost every task that one performs. For example, while cooking and talking to a relative on the phone, attention and multitasking are playing a key role.
Improve Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is the lifelong capacity of the brain to change its activity according to its response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli of learning and experience. This allows for new neural pathways, which reinforce language skills and cognitive functions. In fact, a higher grey matter volume in the left inferior parietal cortex was appreciated, which means that the brain experiences neurological changes, since language switching is managed in that specific region.
Boost Memory
Numerous studies, including one conducted by Judith Kroll, at PennState University, showed that bilinguals’ ability to remember day to day shopping lists, names, addresses, locations, and instructions was significantly better than monoglots (people who speak only one language). Despite these examples not implying a stimulation to intelligence, it can be indirectly applied to a professional or academic scenario. For instance, whilst studying for an exam or performing an important task, those with a better memory are more probable to recall information with more accuracy compared to those with a limited memory capacity.
Delay Dementia and Alzheimer
In 2020, UCLA along with other six worldwide studies, claimed that their studies found that bilingual Alzheimer patients had a slower apparition of dementia symptoms in four years, in comparison to monolinguals. Doctor Mendez, from UCLA, remarked on the fact that in spite of patients developing Alzheimer’s disease, they do not show biological damage symptoms as early as monolinguals do. This would lead to greater living conditions and an enjoyment of life for a longer period of time.
Broaden Horizons and Stimulate Open-mindedness
Being able to communicate in more than one language can easily give one a new view of the world by providing one with new doors to opportunities, experiences, relationships, people, jobs, etc.
It can also improve open-mindedness by having the possibility to connect with other people across the globe, getting to know them, and their background and culture. Experiencing and embracing cultural differences, especially from a young age, can be very beneficial as empathy and cultural awareness might be improved.
It is never too late to learn a new language as there are many tools, including language centres, social media accounts, videos, apps and literary sources, that can make learning a new language simple and a wonderful and rewarding journey.
Considering all the above, being bilingual or multilingual is very enriching. Not only cognitively, but also other aspects of one’s life are enhanced to subsequently improve living conditions and promote a world with no cultural frontiers, which enable the connection between human beings.
Article written by Tina, IB25