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Learning a foreign language in old age improves cognitive abilities in later years

According to related research, learning a foreign language later in life can also benefit brain health. The research team conducted intelligence tests on participants whose native language is English, testing them at age 11 and again in their 70s. The results showed that not only those who learned a foreign language in childhood but also those who learned a foreign language as adults exhibited better cognitive abilities in old age compared to those who only spoke their native language. Learning a foreign language later in life can help improve cognitive abilities in old age.

Learning a second foreign language delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

According to related research, bilingual individuals tend to experience the onset of Alzheimer's disease approximately 4 to 5 years later than those who only speak their native language. The research team conducted a survey of 450 Alzheimer's patients and found this to be the case. The team argued that while learning a second foreign language cannot completely prevent Alzheimer's, it can act as a buffer and delay the onset of the disease.

◆ People who use two languages, demonstrating cognitive flexibility

According to a study published in a neuroscience journal, bilingual individuals tend to demonstrate 'cognitive flexibility.' This means they can respond more flexibly when faced with new situations or unexpected events that they have not experienced before. The research team tested cognitive flexibility in groups that only used their native language and those who used two languages. The results showed that bilingual users were able to solve problems more quickly and used less brain energy during problem-solving.

◆ Users of two or more languages have faster brain language processing speeds

According to related research, bilingual individuals process language faster in the brain. The study found that when the spelling and meaning of a word are the same in both the native language and a second foreign language, the brain's word processing process is shorter. For example, the word 'sport' is used to mean 'exercise' in both Germany and the United States. Participants who saw this word in German and English processed the word faster than those who only used German.