- 28 Sep 2019
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Foreign language acquisition enhances intelligence
Nowadays, people are often faced with early depression, difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness. It is not hard to foresee that this will be a social problem in the coming years. Many people think that acquiring a foreign language is unimportant, leave their foreign language skills behind at school and content themselves with a limited way of thinking and living.
Because of this, many people in a country where many people from very diverse cultures live get by with a single language. However, the acquisition of foreign languages is of the utmost importance. In a society where people know other languages in addition to their mother tongue, the goal of understanding between different cultures is achieved more quickly.
In addition, learning a foreign language individually delays brain ageing and promotes the ability to concentrate. Multilingual people connect with people from other cultures and thereby increase their quality of life. These people are able to think differently and to formulate feelings and thoughts differently. This definitely makes the brain more active.
According to a study by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the brain of a bilingual person ages much later. Scientists agree that acquiring a foreign language stimulates the brain and increases the ability to concentrate. The researchers are now looking for the answer to the following question: what is the relationship between foreign language acquisition and intelligence?
„Being able to speak two languages keeps the brain younger“
A pilot study involving 262 people showed scientists that multilingual people have a higher level of intelligence and an activated brain. A previous study also proved that these people can prevent dementia in old age.
Nevertheless, the scientists are not entirely sure. They do not know whether multilingualism boosts intelligence or if intelligence promotes foreign language acquisition. Thomas Bak, who led the research at the University of Edinburgh, already has the answer. As part of the research, 262 people were subjected to the same intelligence test both at the age of 11 and at the age of 70. All participants knew at least a second language besides English.
„Learning a foreign language increases concentration“
A precise check of the test results reveals the following fact: 195 people had learnt the second language before the age of 18 and 65 people in adulthood. Following the acquisition of the second language, an improvement in brain function became apparent compared to the initial tests. However, this improvement has nothing to do with the age at which the second language was learnt.
The scientist Thomas Bak believes that multilingualism improves the ability to concentrate. For Dr Alvaro Pascual-Leone from Harvard University, the results of this study have taken the first step towards understanding the effect of foreign language acquisition on the brain.
Foreign language courses in Basel and Olten
Actually, it is never too late to foreign language to learn. Many of us can brush up on foreign languages such as English, French or Italian that we left behind during our school years, or learn the languages of our neighbours from scratch. Curiosity, patience and a good language school are all that is needed for this.
At SLA Basel We’ll be happy to teach you foreign languages and offer you perfect Courses with qualified language teachers. You can also take foreign language certificate courses with us for German, French, English visit. Also Corporate English training, German courses for companies and Corporate French lessons are part of our language programme.
Language courses too, but above all English Courses for better career planning as well as German courses for school pupils, English and French, make us a popular language institute in Basel and Olten. Our partners include Tutor Academy, Kulturlegi, Eduqua, temptraining and SVEB FSEA.