Among other brain-related benefits, learning foreign languages appears to improve your memory.

Bilinguals see things differently...

Bilinguals learn foreign languages more easily than monolinguals...

And now, a study suggests that learning foreign languages may help your memory.

As reported in Science Daily, research conducted by the CRP-Santé Center in Luxembourg implies that senior citizens who have practiced more than two languages  experience a « protective effect » on their memory.

And the more languages, the merrier : « Researchers discovered that those people who spoke four or more languages were five times less likely to develop cognitive problems compared to those people who only spoke two languages, » explains the February 2011 article.

Another study released in 2008  implied that even a more modest mastery of  languages – speaking « only » two – could help prevent the cognitive deterioration associated with aging.

Other activities associated with memory retention are exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep habits.

So to sum it up, if you walk to several language classes per week after a light and healthy dinner, your memory may have a better chance of holding up through your golden years.

Just don't stay up too late studying !

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
  A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.