INSTRUCTIONS: Read the following text carefully and
then answer the question.
Why learn a foreign language?
Benefits of bilingualism
Learning a foreign language is more than just a boost to
your CV or handy for travelling.
By Anne Merritt
(EFL lecturer currently based in South Korea)
Physiological studies have found that speaking two or
more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process.
The brains of bilingual people operate differently than
single language speakers, and these differences offer
several mental benefits.
You become smarter
Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality
of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate
meaning, and communicate in different language systems.
This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in
other problem-solving tasks as well. Students who study
foreign languages tend to score better on standardized
tests than their monolingual peers, particularly in the
categories of math, reading, and vocabulary.
You build multitasking skills
Multilingual people, especially children, are skilled at
switching between two systems of speech, writing, and
structure. According to a study from the Pennsylvania
State University, this “juggling” skill makes them good
multitaskers, because they can easily switch between
different structures. In one study, participants used a
driving simulator while doing separate, distracting tasks at
the same time. The research found that people who spoke
more than one language made fewer errors in their driving.
You stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia
For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs
of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more
languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. Studies
considered factors such as education level, income level,
gender, and physical health, but the results were consistent.
Your memory improves
Educators often liken the brain to a muscle, because
it functions better with exercise. Learning a language
involves memorizing rules and vocabulary, which helps
strengthen that mental “muscle.” This exercise improves
overall memory, which means that multiple language
speakers are better at remembering lists or sequences.
Studies show that bilinguals are better at retaining
shopping lists, names, and directions.
Your decision-making skills improve
According to a study from the University of Chicago,
bilinguals tend to make more rational decisions. Any
language contains nuance and subtle implications in its
vocabulary, and these biases can subconsciously influence
your judgment. Bilinguals are more confident with their
choices after thinking it over in the second language and
seeing whether their initial conclusions still stand up.
Available on: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10126883/Why-learn-a-foreign-languageBenefits-of-bilingualism.html>