Although the brain isn’t actually a muscle, it functions similarly: the more you train it, the faster and more efficiently it responds.

These processes challenge your brain to form new language pathways and utilize old ones, too. If you cannot remember a word or haven’t learned it, you must use your powers of description to convey your meaning nonetheless. When speaking, you must quickly decide which words fit the situation best and are appropriate for your audience. When you learn a new language, you use a variety of cognitive strategies, including recall, differentiating, and circumlocution.įor example, you must rapidly and accurately recall vocabulary, parts of speech, and sentence structure to express yourself in another language. How is language learning a cognitive process? When you develop a better sense of language’s nuances, your ability to remember and describe experiences and concepts also develops. Therefore, expanding your vocabulary-whether in your native tongue or in a new language-can help speed up cognitive processes by allowing you to grasp and express new ideas more precisely. It shapes how we perceive the world and understand ourselves and our place in it. Language is a tool we use to think, learn, and communicate our thoughts and ideas to others. According to psychology research, a few examples of cognitive processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving.

Cognition refers to the mental processes used to gain knowledge and comprehension. Language and cognition are closely intertwined. Given all the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, we also offer suggestions on how best to take advantage of these skills through courses, tutoring, and more. Although the cognitive benefits of learning a foreign language are still being explored, we’ve explained the known advantages of learning a second language and why these matter. Learning a second language also has a powerful impact on your brain, promoting cognitive enhancement in many ways.īeyond promoting cultural awareness and fostering new relationships, language learning boosts your mental fitness to improve brain health. Contrary to popular belief, language learning isn’t just about broadening your communication skills or opening up new job opportunities.

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