Why
should I learn a new language?
Learning a new language is an
achievement anyone can be proud of and it’s exciting and beneficial at all
ages. It offers many practical, intellectual and aspirational benefits. A wave
of new research shows the incredible psychological benefits of learning a
second language:
1. Learning a Foreign
Language Boosts Brain Power
Medical studies have shown the positive
effect learning a second language has on the brain. A foreign language is a
whole new system with distinct rules, etymology, and meaning, which are just a
few of the complexities of a language. Learning a new one puts the brain to
work by recognizing this new language structure. As the brain works out meaning
and makes full use of this new arsenal to express ideas, it sharpens its
reading, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. The fact is, language centers
in the brain actually grow in the process of learning a second language.
2. Stave off
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Knowing a second language can postpone
the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s by 4.5 years. This is significantly
better than the best Alzheimer’s drugs, which can only delay symptoms by 6-12
months. Brain scans have found a noticeable difference in the brain activity of
bilingual seniors. Their brains work much more efficiently, more like those of
young adults. Scientists believe these seniors’ brains have more reserve brain
power that helps compensate for age-related memory loss.
3. Improved First
Language
As we go about our everyday lives, we
rarely give a second thought to our own grammatical structure and vocabulary.
However, when learning a new language, many people find they have a greater
understanding of their first language. Learning a foreign language draws your
focus to the mechanics of language: grammar, conjugations, and sentence
structure. This makes you more aware of language, and the ways it can be
structured and manipulated. These skills can make you a more effective
communicator and a sharper editor and writer.
4. Boost Your Memory
We know that people who speak more than
one language fluently have better memories and are more cognitively creative
and mentally flexible than people who are monolingual. The more the brain is
used, the better its functions work. Learning a new language structure entails
becoming familiar with vocabulary and rules, and applying this memorized
information to communication. This strengthens your memory because your brain’s
ability to associate information with mnemonics has been boosted, and it is
better at retaining information.
5. Improve
Understanding of the World
A language is a doorway to a particular
culture. Learning a new language enables a person to have a broader
understanding of that culture. You will have access to a whole new array of
film, music, and literature, and a greater understanding of the history and
culture of the nation – and ultimately, a better understanding of the way the
world works, including politics and international relations. You will be able
to connect through books, TV, and the Internet and converse with a whole
country’s worth of people, which broadens your horizons, interests, and views. A whole new world will be open to you.
Credits
The article was posted by: French Pod 101
Original title: 5 Benefits of Learning a New Language
6 comentários:
Depois de muita pressão de todos meus colegas e familiares, cedi à pressão e me inscrevi no curso de inglês. Apesar de toda minha dificuldade, tenho conseguido evoluir pouco a pouco! Nunca tive muita facilidade com idiomas, mas confesso que tem sido uma experiência muito benéfica!
Comecei com inglês logo cedo, ainda com 8 anos. Peguei gosto pelo estudo de línguas, e hoje falo com fluência inglês, espanhol, francês, e agora estou tendo aulas de italiano. Tenho como meta atingir 8 línguas até me aposentar!
Estudar inglês para mim foi um divisor de águas. Abriu portas que não se abririam se eu não falasse nenhum idioma que não o português. Já tive aulas de francês também, mas meramente por gostar da língua. O inglês fiz mesmo com intenção de melhor me inserir no mercado de trabalho.
Aprender um novo idioma, além de ser ótimo para as atividades cerebrais, te deixa mais culto e te ajuda a se aproximar de outros povos e lugares aos quais você não teria acesso (ou os teria com mais dificuldade) se não fosse o estudo da língua.
Fiz um intercâmbio na Inglaterra para melhorar meu inglês, e foi um tiro certo! Quando voltei, estava num nível muito acima de meus colegas de curso aqui no Brasil e aí sim, pude começar as minhas aulas de conversação. Nada como você se inserir na cultura e viver imerso no idioma para otimizar seu aprendizado!
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