Various factors affect the functioning of our brain and its effectiveness. Scientists have been studying the brain for many years, and each time they discover something new. One such scientist is Christian Wiebels, who has established that learning a foreign language can enhance the capabilities of our brain.
Thanks to new technologies in the field of tomography and neurobiology, scientists can study brain changes under the influence of various factors, including the study of a foreign language.
Knowing a second language or several ones is the dream of many people, but few people want to spend time studying the rules and grammar. After all, they want to relax after a hard-working day and allow their brain to relax from the flow of information. Also, our brain loves stability and if you are trying to establish new neuron connections, it can resist. Therefore, learning a language requires discipline and great effort. If you are aware of what opportunities you have thanks to the knowledge of a foreign language, then the process of learning it will become easier. Ask yourself why you need to know a foreign language. Perhaps this is a new job, the ability to travel independently, moving to another country, and so on. All these reasons are very important, but if you have not such goals, then perhaps you may be inspired by living a long life with good memory and in your right mind. Dementia affects the human brain at an advanced age and each of us hopes to avoid this disease. According to Ellen Bialystok, a professor of psychology at York University, if you study a foreign language, then you will have a chance for a healthy brain. Many studies show that multilingualism helps develop adult cognitive abilities and prevent brain aging. This is not just speculation. Scientists use special equipment in their research, which shows the physical impact of learning a foreign language on brain work.
Scientists have a lot of work to do in the field of brain research and the influence of a foreign language on its work. But already today they have found answers to some questions that will help them study the brain better.
The benefits of bilingualism.
The first and main advantage of learning a second language is the development of the executive function of the brain.
Thanks to it, we can control our emotions, choose the focus of attention, cut off all unnecessary information and plan. When you learn a second language, you constantly control yourself in the choice of words and direct your attention to the search for the correct grammatical structures and rules. Thus, you have the skill to choose what you need. You do not pay attention to external factors and can concentrate on fulfilling your task.
These skills are the main functions of people that distinguish them from animals. Thus, the study of a foreign language takes place in the prefrontal cortex, affects the work of the supramarginal gyrus and the anterior cingulate gyrus.
Also, scientists found that while learning a foreign language, the volume of neurons and dendrites increases. These cells make up the volume of gray matter. Thus, a foreign language makes the gray matter denser and the brain becomes healthier.
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