Benefits of a Second Language

Today’s world is more interconnected than ever before in both the speed we can travel to other countries and with computer technology giving the ability to connect with people around the world through the internet instantly. The result of this is coming into contact with people that speak a language different than our own. Learning a new language allows us to reach and connect with others both directly and on a global basis. Being able to connect with others is not the only benefit that learning a second language provides as it gives plenty of other health benefits.

Learning a new language provides mental nourishment and exercise that strengthens and grows the brain similar to how exercise strengthens and grows our muscles. This stimulation and growth increases the amount of neurons that the brain contains. More neuron connectors allows us to process information more quickly and efficiently, as they are the information transport system of the brain. Knowing additional languages is shown to help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia by an average of 4.1 years. These conditions cause damage to the pathways, preventing information transport. The increased pathways from exercising the brain, such as in the case of learning a new language, allows the brain to utilize alternate pathways if some are damaged. Increased amount of neuron pathways is not the only growth that occurs when learning a second language.

Learning a second language has also been shown to increase the size of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for the formation, storing, and retrieving of memories. Six weeks is the short time needed for the growth and changes in the brain to be detected. Age is not a factor for gaining these benefits as it is shown to happen no matter the person’s age, whether they are young or elderly. It also does not matter if a person can read or write, just learning to speak a new language provides these benefits.

Learning a new language enhances the brain by creating new challenges. These challenges include recognizing and understanding the meaning of new words and learning how to communicate in the new language. We also need to focus on the language’s grammar, conjugation, and sentence structure, creating an awareness on how to utilize and manipulate the language. This focus and understanding help us to become more efficient communicators, have sharper writing and editing skills, and increase our ability to distinguish meaning from discreet sounds. These benefits are not just exclusive to the new language as they provide the same benefits to a person’s native language as well. Knowing an additional language means a person is switching between each language’s writing, speech, and structure. This ability to switch between languages is shown to improve a person’s skill at multitasking.

People that know another language are shown to make more rational decisions and more likely to notice misleading information. Every language contains nuances and subtle implications that can without notice lead to bias judgment. People that know a second language were shown to be more confident and less affected by these biases as they would process the information or decision with their second language to verify their initial conclusion, enabling them to notice these subtle biases in the language.

Those that knew more than one language showed more creativity as they were more likely to experiment with new words and phrases. Sometimes we forget or are unable to recall certain words, preventing us from properly conveying our message, but those knowing multiple languages were more likely to think of different words or phrases to convey the same message meaning.

Knowing a second language is shown to increase a person’s perception. Multilinguists were better at noticing what was happening in their surroundings and were better at filtering out irrelevant information to instead focus their attention on what was relevant. They also demonstrated higher memorization skills as they showed improved memorisation of shopping lists, names, and directions.

Learning a second language keeps the brain in an efficient working state, even with age. Elderly people that knew a second language are shown to have the same efficient brains like those of young adults. The benefits to the brain in learning an additional language is further enhanced when learning even more languages. Even the learning of a third or more language is made easier as the brain is more efficient in noticing subtleties and breaking down the language into learning steps.

Knowing more than one language is able to help with getting a job or acquiring higher positions in a company. Due the interconnected world, many companies are looking to tap into as many markets as possible and are more willing to hire people that allow them to reach these new market opportunities. The willingness in learning additional languages demonstrates to the company that a person is motivated and driven to learn. This tells the company that the person is more likely to be self motivated and willing to learn new skills to better themselves in their working environment.

Learning an additional language is demonstrated as being beneficial to the health of our brain and its ability to function and grow. It increases our ability to process information, improves multitasking, helps us be assertive of our decisions, increases our language skills in both writing and speech communication, and widens our ability in reaching out to connect with others in our vast interconnected world.