Always wanted to learn a new language but were unsure if it would be worth the effort? Well it certainly is because there are significant cognitive, social, and personal benefits from learning a new language. In fact, studies show that the benefits of learning a second language can literally extend throughout your life compared with those who only speak one language fluently. It is no coincidence that many of the most successful people in the world fluently speak 2 or more languages.
At JapanesePod101, we have developed the world’s most advanced language learning system guaranteed to help you speak fluent Japanese starting with your very first lesson. But before we discuss specifics, let’s review the specific benefits of learning a new language and why they matter to you and your future. Sign Up now for FREE and you’ll get your PDF Guide including 25 ways to learn Japanese efficiently!
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In our connected, globalized world, people fluent in 2 or more languages enjoy a number of benefits over monolingual employees, including:
There are several personal and professional benefits of learning a second language that can definitely help you today, tomorrow, and years into the future.
Improved communications skills are one of the most useful benefits of learning a new language because they help you in two ways:
So if you want to improve relationships and become a better listening, learning a new language helps retrain your mind to become more outgoing, confident, and better with people—one lesson at a time.
Growing your social network is one of the most rewarding benefits of learning a foreign language! Each lesson brings you one step closer to understanding a new culture and helps open doors that you could never enter without learning a new language.
According to the ACTFL and based upon numerous scientific studies, language learning strongly correlates with a number of cognitive benefits, including:
Yes, there are a number of cognitive benefits of learning a new language or even in studying your own native language. In fact, studies show that learning a second language can help students improve scores and grades in English reading and comprehension —but also math too (Rafferty, E.A.).
Although most studies show that the earlier you learn a second language, the better the results: You are never too old to see significant cognitive benefits from learning a new language including better focus and concentration!
According to the Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology and based upon a 2013 study, one of the benefits of learning a second language is the delayed onset of Alzheimer’s by 4-5 years. Research also indicates that bilingual people have a lower risk for dementia compared to their monolingual counterparts. In fact, MRI’s reveal that bilingual people have a brain that functions similar to that of a much younger adult with better connections and more efficient processing.
And yes—people who are fluent in 3 or more languages see even better results and reduced risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.Basically, the brain is a giant muscle and one of the greatest benefits of learning a new language is that it exercises your brain and establishes more neural pathways.
The cognitive benefits of learning a new language are not limited to improved focus and concentration or higher standardized test scores. Studies also show that bilingual persons also tend to be better at planning, prioritizing, and overall decision making because learning a new language reduces heuristic bias (Acosta). What this means is that learning a second language helps create a psychological distance so bilingual persons are not as affected by emotional language. Thus, they are also not as impacted by propaganda and marketing messages as monolingual persons.
Here are the full range of cognitive benefits of learning a second language. Bilingual persons are more likely to (compared with monolingual persons):
JapanesePod101 was created more than 10 years ago to help people learn and master a new language faster, easier, and at far less expense than traditional classroom instruction. Featuring the world’s largest online collection of HD video lessons created by native speaking instructors, JapanesePod101 helps you speak fluent Japanese starting with your very first lesson. So if you are ready for the cognitive, social and personal benefits of learning a new language, sign up for a membership today!