Learning and Teaching
Interesting Research on Speaking Two or More Languages
Physiological studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer several mental benefits. Below are some cognitive advantages to learning a foreign language. Jun 19, 2013
Many of these attributes are only apparent in people who speak multiple languages regularly – if you haven’t spoken a foreign tongue since your time at school your brain might not be reaping these bilingual 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.
Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognise, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving tasks as well.
Students who study foreign languages tend to score better on standardised tests than their monolingual peers, particularly in the categories of maths, reading, and vocabulary.
You build multitasking skills
Multilingual people, especially children, are skilled at switching between two systems of speech, writing, and structure. According to a study from the Pennsylvania State University, this “juggling” skill makes them good multi taskers, because they can easily switch between different structures. In one study, participants used a driving simulator while doing separate, distracting tasks at the same time.
Your memory improves
Educators often liken the brain to a muscle, because it functions better with exercise. Learning a language involves memorising rules and vocabulary, which helps strengthen that mental “muscle.” This exercise improves overall memory, which means that multiple language speakers are better at remembering lists or sequences. Studies show that bilinguals are better at retaining shopping lists, names, and directions.
You become more perceptive
A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra revealed that multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They are more adept at focusing on relevant information and editing out the irrelevant. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. Is it any surprise that Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot are skilled polyglots?
Your decision-making skills improve
According to a study from the University of Chicago, bilinguals tend to make more rational decisions. Any language contains nuance and subtle implications in its vocabulary, and these biases can subconsciously influence your judgment. Bilinguals are more confident with their choices after thinking it over in the second language and seeing whether their initial conclusions still stand up.
You improve your English
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. Language speakers also develop a better ear for listening, since they’re skilled at distinguishing meaning from discreet sounds.
After learning one, it’s 1000x easier to learn another
As you begin to learn a second language, you’ll find that the acquisition techniques you’re using can be applied to learning additional languages as well.
The positive cognitive effects of learning to speak a second language can train the brain to analyse and process different linguistic structures. It’s not specific to your first target language — it’s a skill that can be applied to learning any language.
You’re increasing your ability to replicate the process with multiple languages. This is called “metalinguistic awareness,” where your brain learns to identify the techniques of learning a language and break them down into a series of steps. After learning one language, you retain the muscle memory. Your brain will intrinsically understand how to learn a language and how different languages are structured, through increased awareness of syntax, grammar and sentence structure.
Study results out of the American Academy of Neurology are showing that speaking more than one language increases the amount of neural pathways in the brain, allowing information to be processed through a greater variety of channels. They’ve also begun to demonstrate that multilingualism improves development in the brain’s areas of executive function and attention, no matter what age the language learner is.
It boosts your creativity
Researchers are also concluding that multilingual speakers are more creative than monolingual speakers. Learning a foreign language improves not only your ability to solve problems and to think more logically, it also makes you experiment with new words and phrases.
Leveling up your second language skills forces you to reach for alternate words when you can’t quite remember the original one you wanted to use. It improves your skills in divergent thinking, which is the ability to identify multiple solutions to a single problem.
Understanding language is one of the hardest things your brain does, making it the ultimate brain exercise.
The Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language for Young Brains
It’s hard to believe now, but, at one time, raising children in a bilingual home was frowned upon.
Experts thought their brains would become confused which would result in developmental delays, poor academic performance, and stunted intellectual growth. It was even thought that the exposure to two languages could contribute to schizophrenia or split personalities!
But we now understand that the exact opposite is true.
Children can easily learn additional languages due to their heightened neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to form new neural connections and new brain cells throughout life.
Children who are multilingual experience brain benefits surprisingly early.
By using a fun game with a disappearing puppet, researchers found that babies as young as 7 months old who are raised in bilingual homes reap cognitive benefits!
Another study employed a memory game and found that bilingual 5-year-olds responded faster and were more accurate than monolinguals. According to a comprehensive review issued by the National Education Association, here are some of the notable benefits experienced by children who learned a second language in school:
Children who study a foreign language receive a boost in overall cognitive development, do better on standardized tests, are more creative, and have better self-esteem and sense of achievement in school.
Second language studies help students, regardless of race, gender, or academic level, do better in other areas of study across the board including improved reading skills, social studies, and maths.