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Benefits of Early Language Learning

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17 views2 pages

Benefits of Early Language Learning

Uploaded by

nminhngoc.qhqt52c1dav.edu.vn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIT 1

Piece 1
A study suggests that it is best to start learning a language before the age of ten.
Researchers said the ability to learn grammar well is present up until the age of
18. This is the limit of the “critical period” when language-learning ability starts to
decline. A researcher said children quite easily become bilingual because, “that’s
when you’re best at learning languages”. He said it’s difficult to become truly
bilingual later in life.
The research was based on 670,000 online grammar quizzes. The tests had
grammar rules designed to confuse non-native speakers. These helped to
measure the language ability of people who started learning a language at
different ages. One researcher suggested older people might be too busy to learn
a language because they leave home, go to university or start work. All of these
affect language-learning ability.

Piece 2

Researchers say that people who speak two languages are better able to focus on
key information. This helps you to prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects at
once. And there are long-range benefits, too. The onset of Alzheimer’s disease
symptoms can be delayed by about four years in people who speak two
languages, research has found. Once you’ve chosen the language to study, make
sure that whatever technique you use includes an audio component. This is
because pronunciation is key to feeling comfortable using a foreign language.
Keep in mind that you need to actively practise your new language to get all the
benefits – using two languages is what works the brain. So, to keep challenging
your grey matter, read books and watch foreign films in that language. If you’re
feeling adventurous, you might even take a trip to a country where the language
is spoken.

Piece 3

Researchers from University College London studied the brains of 105 people - 80
of whom were bilingual. They found learning other languages altered grey matter
- the area of the brain which processes information - in the same way exercise
builds muscles. People who learned a second language at a younger age were
also more likely to have more advanced grey matter than those who learned later,
the team said.

The team took scans of 25 Britons who did not speak a second language, 25
people who had learned another European language before the age of five, and
33 bilinguals who had learned a second language between 10 and 15 years old.
The scans revealed the density of the grey matter of the brain was greater in
bilinguals than in those without a second
language. The research demonstrates how the brain changes its structure and
how learning languages develops its plasticity.

Common questions

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Using two languages 'works the brain' because it requires constant cognitive engagement and switching between linguistic systems, enhancing executive functions such as attention, working memory, and problem-solving skills. This regular mental exercise strengthens brain capacity and delays cognitive decline .

Researchers from University College London found that learning a second language alters the grey matter of the brain in a manner similar to how exercise builds muscles. The study involving brain scans of 105 individuals showed that the density of grey matter was greater in bilinguals compared to those who did not speak a second language. This suggests that learning languages enhances brain plasticity by changing its structure .

Learning a language before the critical period (before age 10) makes it easier for children to become truly bilingual. During this period, the brain is more receptive to acquiring new languages and mastering grammar. After this period, especially post-age 18, it becomes increasingly difficult to reach true bilingualism due to declining language learning ability and lifestyle changes that limit time and focus .

The study suggests that the critical period for language learning, particularly grammar, starts to decline after age 18. Factors contributing to this limitation include life changes such as leaving home, attending university, or starting work, which might lead to a busier lifestyle and less time to dedicate to learning a language .

Research has found that bilingualism can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms by around four years. This is attributed to the increased cognitive reserve and enhanced brain function associated with managing two languages, which helps delay the progression of neurological diseases .

The age at which a second language is learned significantly affects the development of grey matter. People who learn a second language at a younger age tend to have more advanced grey matter. The study results showed that those who became bilingual before the age of five had greater grey matter density compared to those who learned between the ages of 10 and 15, and much more so compared to monolinguals .

Actively practicing a new language ensures the utilization of the language learning benefits, such as enhancing cognitive flexibility and brain function. Regular practice, such as reading books and watching films in the new language, continuously challenges the brain, akin to cognitive exercises that maintain or boost mental acuity .

Pronunciation is considered critical because it is key to feeling comfortable using a foreign language. An audio component in language learning techniques is vital to help learners familiarize themselves with the correct pronunciation, enabling better communication and understanding .

Speaking two languages improves focus and task management by enhancing the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Bilingual individuals are better able to filter important information, a skill which translates to more efficient cognitive processing .

The study of brain scans, which compared bilingual individuals to monolinguals, provided insights by showing that language learning significantly affects brain plasticity. The scans revealed that bilinguals have greater grey matter density, suggesting enhanced brain structure in regions responsible for information processing, thus stressing the potential of language learning in promoting cognitive development and neuroplasticity .

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