Speaking a second language said to slow the brain’s decline with age
Monday, 28th February 2011
According to a recent article in the Independent, several studies have now demonstrated a link between knowing and using a second language and so-called ‘cognitive decline’.
Mentioned in the article is a recent study that was presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington. It found that bilingual patients with probable Alzheimer’s were more likely have delayed symptoms compared to monolingual patients. In fact, the effect of speaking a second language produced a stronger effect on delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s than any drug currently used to control the disease.
It is largely believed that the same applies to anyone who speaks a second language, even if it that language is learnt later in life and not spoken to quite the same proficiency.
There are lots of great reasons to learn a new language, but this has to be one of the most compelling reasons to work on your foreign language skills.
Read the full Independent article
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Posted by Laura Harrison 2011-02 under In the news,
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