Many academic papers have been published over the years detailing the cognitive benefits of learning other languages. Studies in neuropsychology or psychobiology have revealed numerous health benefits which both bilingualism and multilingualism can have upon the human brain.
At some point in our lives we have all felt the frustration of not being able to describe our thoughts and feelings with suitable words, followed hopefully by that welcome sense of relief when the words finally spring to mind. When we are feeling the emotions of sadness or anger, for example, it can feel a bit like catharsis, or even therapy, to harness our language and bring it to our aid with the precise combination of words in those moments.
Even in moments of happiness we can struggle to think of the best way to express our love for someone, or to write a cool-sounding birthday message, or even to write an article on the topic of language, itself, for a school magazine, and so on. But have you ever considered how acquiring a foreign language might also help you to advance your cognitive skills in your own native language?
One language sets you on a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.
– Frank Smith