Essay On Benefits Of Learning Language

Iris Mendez
Texas A&M International University
Psychology of Language
The Benefits of Learning Languages

The Benefits of Learning Languages

Language is the capability animals and humans posses as a complex system of communication. The number of language across the world vary from a specific number but we can all agree that language is an important tool for all of us. It is one of the most amazing things that we can acquire. Therefore, learning another language can only enhance and benefit a person for a long time .Learning another language in itself is a valuable asset of life.
The acquisition of a second language has been a topic of many studies. Studies show us that bilingual children show better cognitive skills and analytic skills versus monolingual children. Wattendorf, Fiestman, Westernmann, Keil, Zappatore, Franceschini, Luedi, Radue, Munte, Rager, Nitsch conducted a longitudinal study from Universities in Switzerland, Germany and Italy on the influences early and later affects of early bilingualism and how it affects the cortical region of the brain. In their research, they had two sets of participants that either learned a second language prior to the age of three or individuals that acquired a second language after the age of nine. These participants had also learned a third language after the age of nine as part of the criteria. Another aspect present the participants was that they had to be proficient in the first two languages. They were asked to answer a detailed questionnaire that had been developed by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR; North. 2000).
This reference documented their proficiency levels in several ranges. The study took into account the usage of funct...

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It is well to pint out how children can benefit from learning multiple languages but as time progresses within the lifespan, adults can also reap the benefits that language learning has to offer. Amazing studies have been conducted by the New York Times tell us that Alzheimer's can be delayed by five years in bilingual speakers.
That evidence made us look at people who didn’t have normal cognitive function. In our next studies, we looked at the medical records of 400 Alzheimer’s patients. On average, the bilinguals showed Alzheimer’s symptoms five or six years later than those who spoke only one language. This didn’t mean that the bilinguals didn’t have Alzheimer’s. It meant that as the disease took root in their brains, they were able to continue functioning at a higher level. They could cope with the disease for longer.