Age Doesn’t Matter, Learning a Second Language Benefits Your Brain

Sometimes we limit ourselves and don’t try to learn new things because of the fear of failure, the lack of time, or just because “we are too old for that.” Those are limiting beliefs that become barriers to our development as individuals.

At 7 Generation Games we make bilingual educational games and that is why, this time, we want to share with you the benefits of learning a second language for your brain. That way you won’t have any excuses when it comes to learning Spanish or who knows, trying something new.

The process of acquiring a second language transforms the human brain, improving its structure and functioning. Learning generates anatomical changes in brain structures, regardless of the age at which the process begins.

Professor Ping Li, who led a study published in the Journal of Neurolinguistics, said in this regard, that learning and practicing any activity, such as obtaining a second language, strengthens the brain. Similarly to physical exercise, the more certain areas of the brain are used, the more it will lead to those parts of the brain becoming stronger.

https://www.actualidadenpsicologia.com/aprender-segunda-lengua-cerebro-edad/

The schemes above correspond to the neural networks before and after, the thickness of the line indicates the strength of the neural link: a) Is the connectivity corresponding to a successful student, b) the connectivity of a learner with less success and c) it is the connectivity of the controls (non-learners).

Credits: Li Lab, Penn State

From the study presented above, and in case you still have doubts, 10 benefits of learning a second language were concluded:

1. BRAIN GROWTH
2. PREVENTS DEMENTIA
3. IMPROVES LISTENING CAPACITY
4. HELPS BE MORE SENSITIVE TO IDIOMATIC DIFFERENCES
5. IMPROVES MEMORY
6. BILINGUAL PEOPLE ARE MORE FLEXIBLE
7. INCREASES FOCUS
8. DOUBLES COGNITIVE ACTIVITY
9. CHANGES THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD
10. IMPROVES THE MASTERY OF THE FIRST LANGUAGE

So now you know, learning a second language has multiple benefits! We recommend you venture into the world of bilingual learning with our educational games, such as:

Making Camp Bilingual

Play in English or Spanish (see how much you remember from high school.)

Math: Multiplication and Division
History: Ojibwe (Chippewa) , Plains Indians
In Spanish and English

Click to buy for $1.99

Download from Google Play

Whether you are teaching English language learners or want a fun app to expand your Spanish vocabulary, Making Camp Bilingual fits the bill. Packed with videos and activities, players practice multiplication and division skills while learning math problem-solving strategies. They’ll also be introduced to Native American history. Earn points by solving math problems and answering social studies questions in the village-building simulation game.

Math: The Universal Language Lakota

Tradition meets tech in this engaging new way to learn. Numbers spring to life in English and Lakota using this augmented reality app to practice multiplication and learn numbers in two languages! Press on the language button to hear the numbers and multiplication problems said and solved aloud in English or Lakota.

Download Math: The Universal Language Lakota cards and find the links to the iPhone, iPad and Android apps here

Math: The Universal Language Dakota

Tradition meets tech in this engaging new way to learn. Numbers spring to life in English and Dakota using this augmented reality app to practice multiplication and learn numbers in two languages!

The app is the first ever AR app to combine math and the Dakota language. Available for iOS (iPad & iPhone).