This article will show you how learning a second language can rewire your brain , enchance memory , boost attention and increase grey matter through the cerebral power of neuroplasticity.
Ever wonder what’s happening in your brain when you learn the spanish greetings , italian past tense or arabic grammar? Learning a second language can physically and functionally change your brain. This is because of nueroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganise information and make new neural connections.
Languages can actually change how you percieve the world. Studies have found that people who speak two languages categorise and distinguish colours differently based on which language they are using at the time of perceiving the colour. In some cases , changing languages changes how quickly the brain can recognise certain shades of blue. Other ways , learning a second language changes your brain are :
Increases Grey Matter
Grey Matter is the brain tissue that is involved in learning , memory , decision-making and language. Studies have found that bilingual speakers and learners often show show increased grey matter especially in brain parts responsible for language function.
Strengthens White Matter Connections
White matter is the brain’s communication network which helps different brain parts to efficiently send information. Learning or using a second language is linked with stronger white pathways.
Improved Attention & Mental Control
Managing two languages means the brain needs to pick one language to use and suppress the other language simultaneously. When this is done frequently , it can strengthen attention and cogntive control. Studies have found that bilinguals were often better at focusing in noisy spaces and managing competing information.
Boosts Brain Plasticity
Learning a second language stimulates your brain similiar to how lifting weights stimulates your muscles. More proficient a person become sin a second language , greater brain changes are observed.
Larger Hippocampus
The hippocampus is vital for forming and storing memories. When learning a second language , you’re constantly learning and memorising new vocab , grammar and meanings of words / phrases which over time can strengthen your brain’s memory related networks.
May Build Cogntive Reserve
Cognitive Reserve is the brain resilence against age related decline. Some researchers suggest that learning a second language may help with building cognitive reserve. The exact degree of cognitive reserve in bilingualism is still being studied.
How to reap these brain-boosting benefits?
To actually get these brain boosting benefits yourself , all you need to do is regular , active language learning. Best way to use your nueroplasticity to your advantage is to challenge it with consistent language learning that has a Goldilocks level of difficulty. Not too hard nor too easy. Just in the middle , that sweet spot that doesn’t leave your bored nor stressed out.
Start with spending a few minutes every day learning or using your target language. This is enough to start building more grey matter and enhance your memory.
If you were looking for a place to help you along your language learning , Lingo Lobby is here to help. I write to native English speakers to help them learn spanish quickly through fun blog posts sprinkled with my imperfect yet helpful experience.
SOURCES:
Color perception in bilinguals: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380309915_Active_Language_Modulates_Color_Perception_in_Bilingual
White Matter : https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2306286121
Grey Matter:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02040/full
Cognitive reserve & Larger hippocampus : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12181583/
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