The Surprising Brain Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language

Here are some of the things that happen to your brain when you learn a new language:

1. Grey matter increases: Grey matter is a substance which connects different sections of the brain. The volume of grey matter increases as a result of language learning. Einstein had an abnormally large amount of grey matter.
2. Physical increase in size: MRI scans done as part of a study in Sweden showed parts of the brain associated with memory (such as the hippocampus and cerebral cortex) physically grow, like muscles, when stimulated regularly.
3. Memory improves: The learning of new rules and memorizing grammar and vocabulary has positive effects on your everyday cognitive retention.
4. Improved ability to concentrate: Studies show that bilinguals find it easier to focus on tasks and control their attention than monolinguals.
5. Fends off dementia: Although learning a language may not totally halt the onset of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in susceptible individuals, it can fend it off for up to five years. This is much more effective than any currently prescribed drug.
6. Becomes easier to learn new languages: Once your brain has been trained to spot patterns involved in learning a new language, it makes it much easier for it to spot the patterns in the future.