As we grow older, one of our many health concerns is to maintain our mental health.  If scientists could only come up with a surefire way to keep the aging brain sharp and agile, it would be a major breakthrough. Well, they have.  Studies have shown that acquiring a second language actually changes the brain and increases mental acuity.  A study on the language region of the brain was conducted by Andrea Mechelli, a neuro scientist at University College, London, and reported in the science journal Nature. They found that the grey matter in the language region of the brain was larger in people who speak two languages than in those who speak only one. Another study, conducted by researchers from York University in Canada has found that adults who were fluent in two languages were sharper mentally.  

It has long been known that education in general has beneficial effects on the brain. People with more education, and especially those who continue their education in some form, are less likely to have dementia in old age. In a similar manner to exercising your body to keep it healthy as you grow older, learning in general exercises the brain and can keep it healthier into old age.  It is a sort of a “use it or lose it” philosophy for the brain. But language acquisition, in particular, has a protective effect on the brain, not only on language related skills such as vocabulary, but also on non-verbal and cognitive skills.

What is the lesson? Get out there and learn a language.  The studies have shown that the better the proficiency in the second language, the more the language region of the brain grows, but even learning the rudiments of a second language can help.  Continuing the study of the language will, of course, accrue these healthy brain benefits longer. There are additional benefits to studying a language that are not directly brain related, but can also help the aging brain.

The added socializing of going to a class and meeting new people of varied ages and backgrounds is valuable. People who keep their socialization skills age better, both physically and mentally.  The challenge of going to a class, organizing one’s time for homework and in general, being “up” for the rigors of a new activity gives everyone, but older people in particular, a healthy boost.  

There are many venues where a new language can be learned, such as professional language schools or adult education classes. Many colleges and universities allow seniors to “audit” classes without having to matriculate. A language class is an ideal setting for this.  Now that scientists have found a way to keep the old brain healthier, we owe it to ourselves to learn a new language.