Increase Mental Capacity by Learning a New Language
By Tom Herrin
There are lots of ways to improve mental abilities, or so one would believe who listens to advertising that promises as much. There is likely a fix for every problem, or need, if someone has enough money or desire. There may be some truth to this, but one thing that may take work to improve your mental ability and have great rewards is learning another language. Some may dismiss this as surely impossible, but it is actually something that just about anyone can do. It must certainly take commitment, but with hard work, it can be done. The results may be much more than simply acquiring language skills. Many studies have indicated that learning another language can open the mind in many other ways.
Learning Another Language May Delay Dementia
It has been a long established notion that many people begin to lose mental function as they age. In today's world, many kinds of dementia have been identified as having other causes. Whichever the case, many studies seem to indicate that using the brain more may stimulate its abilities to function well. Some studies have indicated that those who are bilingual may experience onset of dementia as much as five years later than the average. This may suggest that using the brain acts as a sort of exercise and keeps it working better for longer.
Greater Self-Confidence May Be Gained
It is no secret that when people can effectively communicate in a language other than their native one, they may become more confident. It would stand to reason that whenever a person is able to feel empowered, they will perform better. Self-confidence is critical in anyone's achieving success in what they set out to do. Learning another language is a new and challenging experience, but it can pay off big.
Most of Us Would Like to Do Better
If the truth were to be known, most people would like to be able to improve mental abilities. The problem is we often become too complacent to take on new challenges. When we begin to learn another language, we may open doors we never knew were there. When we can become better communicators, we will feel that we have better control of our lives. It often seems to improve our ability to make decisions as well. If I can communicate in more than one language, it may be a win-win.
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