Learning a New Language as an Older Adult: Challenges and Benefits
As someone who has worked as a news and sports reporter in several countries, including Spain, Mexico, and Argentina, I have had the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish. However, after moving to Tokyo seven years ago, I have found it challenging to grasp the Japanese language, despite taking weekly language classes. My teacher, Ayaka Ono, has tutored around 600 students over 15 years, and she notes that older students like myself often take tiny steps and then fall back, struggling to focus and retain new information.
Research has consistently shown that children have an easier time learning second languages, and scientists have been studying whether being bilingual may help ward off memory lapses and reduced mental sharpness that come with aging. According to Ellen Bialystok, a distinguished research professor emeritus at York University in Toronto, managing two languages in the brain over a lifetime can make the brain more efficient, resilient, and protected against cognitive decline. Bialystok recommends studying a new language at any age, comparing the challenge to word puzzles and brain-training games that are promoted to slow the onset of dementia.
The Science Behind Language Learning and Aging
A recent study published in the science journal Nature Aging found that speaking multiple languages protects against more rapid brain aging, and that the effect increases with the number of languages. The study involved 87,149 healthy people ages 51 to 90 and suggests that multilingualism plays a key role in fostering healthier aging trajectories. Bialystok, who was not involved in the study, notes that the findings “tie all the pieces together” and demonstrate that people who have managed and used two languages over their lifetime end up with brains that are in better shape and more resilient.
Expert Insights and Recommendations
Judith Kroll, a cognitive psychologist who heads the Bilingualism, Mind and Brain Lab at UC Irvine, describes language learning as “mental athletics” and “mental somersaults.” She notes that while there are not enough studies to be definitive, the evidence suggests that older adults can learn new languages and benefit from that learning. Kroll recommends that older adults engage in language learning as a way to maintain cognitive abilities, and Bialystok agrees, stating that attempting to acquire a new language is worthwhile, even if it’s late in life.
In conclusion, while older adults may struggle to learn new languages, the benefits of language learning are clear. Whether it’s to improve cognitive function, enhance travel experiences, or simply to challenge oneself, learning a new language is a rewarding and stimulating activity. For more information on the benefits of language learning for older adults, visit Here.
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