Why Learn a Second Language?

Learning a second language may boost thinking skills, increase cognitive reserve, improve memory, and delay cognitive decline. The areas of the brain that increase in size when learning a new language are the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Research suggests that people who speak more than one language are better able to prioritize tasks and handle multiple projects at once. The evidence revealed long-term benefits also; namely, learning a second language could delay the onset of dementia by 4.5 years. Remember, you have to actively practice your new language to reap all the benefits.