5 Surprising Health Benefits Of Learning A Second Language

How are the New Year’s Resolutions coming along? Better health? Travel more? Be more sociable? Whatever you have in mind, you may be surprised to hear that learning a foreign language will fit quite nicely into your plans. AND deliver hidden health benefits. Here are 5 reasons you should consider taking up a foreign language in 2023, which go above and beyond having a great holiday….

1. Improve Memory

Research shows that people who speak a second language regularly perform better on memory tests than monolingual people. It makes no difference whether they learned the language as a child or as an adult, either. Learning new phrases and then reproducing them orally improves the memory in all other areas of life.

2. Help the symptoms of depression

The social aspect of learning a new language and learning how to communicate better with others has been proven to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Improved self-esteem through mastering a new skill is thought to contribute to these positive effects, as well as the feeling of being part of a wider social network.

3. Delay the onset of dementia

Many studies, including one by Dr Thomas Bak at the University of Edinburgh, have shown that learning a second language can reduce the onset of dementia by at least 5 years. There have even been suggestions that language lessons should be available on the NHS as the effect on the brain is equal to or better than some drugs currently provided.

4. A healthier and bigger brain

Many studies, including the Swedish MRI study, have shown that learning a second language in adulthood results in a larger brain! Specifically, your cerebral cortex and hippocampus enlarge, resulting in an increase in attention, perception, and self-awareness.

5. It’s never too late.

Especially encouraging is the news that bilingual benefits still hold for those of us who do not learn our second languages as children. Edinburgh University researchers point out that their research clearly shows that knowing another language is advantageous, regardless of when you learn it.

Speak Out Languages’ new French, Italian, Spanish and German courses start in Great King Street in January, designed to build confidence to speak.

To book your spot, visit www.speakoutwithconfidence.com or call 0131 618 3604.

February/March 2023 Issue : Artwork Deadline : 27th January Distribution Date : 13th/14th/15th February To book your advertising space and reach 5000 local residents contact Sue Hutchison. T : 07817 206418 E : sue@trinityspotlight.co.uk www.trinityspotlight.co.uk