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By: Carley Spence
Featured articles https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/

How learning a new language changes

your brain

People learn a new language for all sorts of reasons – to work or study in another country,
move abroad, or simply for pleasure. No matter the motivation, many students find that
the experience of studying a new language enriches their lives. But did you also know a
language changes your brain at a physical level?

Numerous studies have examined how learning a new language at different ages can make a difference
to the way your brain works. Let’s take a look at how learning a second language affects your brain.

A neurological perspective What about people who
on language learning learn a language later on?

Bilingual people, who have learned two languages Students who are learning a second language
side by side from early childhood, have been later in life can still benefit from some of the
studied by scientists for decades. They are keen to neurological changes that happen to speakers
understand how speaking two languages fluently of second languages, no matter what level they
affects people on a cognitive level. And with the are at. Having new experiences (novelty) is an
advent of MRI technology, researchers are now important factor in forming new connections
able to see on a very visual level the differences in the brain and strengthening nervous system
between monolingual brains and bilingual brains. links. These links and connections are maintained
through regular practice.
Everyone’s brain is made up of neurons, which
have a cell body, and dendrites, which are the Studying a new language combines novelty with
connections between neurons. This is what we practice. For example, students learn new
call “grey matter.” words and grammatical constructs and
spend time reviewing and building
Bilingual people have more of these on their previous knowledge as
neurons and dendrites compared part of the learning process.
to people who speak only one
language. This means that This is one of the reasons
their grey matter is denser. that language learning is
such an effective brain
Bilingualism also has an workout and protects
impact on white matter – older learners against
that is, a system of nerve dementia and other
fibres which connect all four deg ener a tiv e
lobes of the brain. This system n eu r ol ogic al
coordinates communication conditions.
between the different brain
regions, helping your brain to But everyone can
learn and function. benefit from language
learning. It is arguably
Bilingual adults have increased one of the most complex
white matter integrity compared mental activities you can
to adults who only speak one do. So, it’s a powerful way
language. Their second language to exercise your brain.
experience actually boosts their

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