We all know that learning a foreign language will come in handy, allowing an otherwise non-existent opportunity, to communicate easily with an entire demographic of people who also use that language. We know that an understanding of a second language looks excellent on a job resume. We even know that speaking another language is a way to impress your friends. What some may not know is that bi-lingual capabilities correlate with a string of other mental functions.
If you’re seeking some extra motivation to tackle a foreign dialect, read about what those functions are here in this list of seven, scientifically-proven ways that a second dialect can make you more intelligent. From the somewhat obvious to the cellular changes under the cranium, this is how you will become a smarter person.
1. You’ll Be Able to Learn From More People When You Travel
When traveling abroad without being able to speak the language can be exhausting. You have to carry around a language dictionary with you just to order the right food. Even then, you won’t always get what you’re looking for. This is an obvious way that speaking a foreign tongue will benefit you, but real nonetheless. As you visit other countries with fluency over the native language of the land, you will be able to pick up on the subtler cues, giving you a broader understanding of the culture, the individuals, and the little gems of wisdom offered by those you meet. You never know when a guru might enter your path; the last thing you want is to not be able to understand what he is trying to tell you.
2. Your Vocabulary Will Instantly Double
For every word you know, becoming fluent in another language, you will find at least one alternative way to speak it. If nothing else, knowing twice as many words is great for trivia. Unconsciously, you’ll probably be picking up some root words, and automatic comprehension of similar words in other languages. If it’s an extended vocabulary you’re looking for, why not start here.
3. Your General Foreign Language Aptitude Will Expand
The language that you learn and your native tongue will not be the only forms of communication you will have a better understanding of. According to Peterlang.com, your general foreign language aptitude correlates with knowing more than one language. So, although you may not have fluency in Portuguese, knowing two other languages will make it easier to pick it up than if you only know one.
4. Verbal Intelligence Will Rise With Foreign Dialect Practice
As you practice speaking a new language, the same study that showed changes in foreign language aptitude tells us, you will see a rise in your verbal intelligence. So, the way in which you use your first language will change for the better. Likely, since you’re aware of grammar and multiple word uses for your second language, those same aspects of the first become more dominant in your mind. Are you ready to become a better conversationalist? It might be hard to keep people from wanting to sit and chat, in which case you’ll need to keep up your time organization skills.
5. When You Learn Another Language, Reasoning Capabilities Will Be Heightened
The final thing that the particular referenced study taught was that, surprisingly, reasoning capabilities were higher amongst the sample of language students than those that spoke only one language. If you are interested in attaining better reasoning skills for any reason, learning to speak another dialect may be a way to kill two birds with one stone. Who doesn’t want to have better communication and rational fuel for their decision making process?
6. Your IQ Will Go Up Significantly
It has been shown that Intelligence Quotient is affected by the acquisition of a new language. If you’re looking to join mensa, get a foreign language under your belt. Learning a new language could help land you in the genius zone. Of course, you may still want to take the practice exams to find out what they actually expect from you.
7. Learning Another Language Will Literally Change the Density of Your Brain’s Grey-Matter
This is not a joke. According to a study on the topic of language and the brain, published in 2004, the grey-matter in your inferior parietal cortex will become more dense as you acquire a second language. Therefore, learning a second language will not only have effects on your mental capabilities, but the physical structure of your brain too. The density of your inferior parietal cortex plays a key role in many cognitive functions. As it increases, so do various intellectual abilities. If that’s not solid proof that a new language will make you smarter, nothing is.
What did you learn, unexpectedly, when learning a foreign language?
Eva Creerson is a former ESL teacher . She now works as a student consultant and a writer at masterpapers.org writing service
If you’re seeking some extra motivation to tackle a foreign dialect, read about what those functions are here in this list of seven, scientifically-proven ways that a second dialect can make you more intelligent. From the somewhat obvious to the cellular changes under the cranium, this is how you will become a smarter person.
1. You’ll Be Able to Learn From More People When You Travel
When traveling abroad without being able to speak the language can be exhausting. You have to carry around a language dictionary with you just to order the right food. Even then, you won’t always get what you’re looking for. This is an obvious way that speaking a foreign tongue will benefit you, but real nonetheless. As you visit other countries with fluency over the native language of the land, you will be able to pick up on the subtler cues, giving you a broader understanding of the culture, the individuals, and the little gems of wisdom offered by those you meet. You never know when a guru might enter your path; the last thing you want is to not be able to understand what he is trying to tell you.
2. Your Vocabulary Will Instantly Double
For every word you know, becoming fluent in another language, you will find at least one alternative way to speak it. If nothing else, knowing twice as many words is great for trivia. Unconsciously, you’ll probably be picking up some root words, and automatic comprehension of similar words in other languages. If it’s an extended vocabulary you’re looking for, why not start here.
3. Your General Foreign Language Aptitude Will Expand
The language that you learn and your native tongue will not be the only forms of communication you will have a better understanding of. According to Peterlang.com, your general foreign language aptitude correlates with knowing more than one language. So, although you may not have fluency in Portuguese, knowing two other languages will make it easier to pick it up than if you only know one.
4. Verbal Intelligence Will Rise With Foreign Dialect Practice
As you practice speaking a new language, the same study that showed changes in foreign language aptitude tells us, you will see a rise in your verbal intelligence. So, the way in which you use your first language will change for the better. Likely, since you’re aware of grammar and multiple word uses for your second language, those same aspects of the first become more dominant in your mind. Are you ready to become a better conversationalist? It might be hard to keep people from wanting to sit and chat, in which case you’ll need to keep up your time organization skills.
5. When You Learn Another Language, Reasoning Capabilities Will Be Heightened
The final thing that the particular referenced study taught was that, surprisingly, reasoning capabilities were higher amongst the sample of language students than those that spoke only one language. If you are interested in attaining better reasoning skills for any reason, learning to speak another dialect may be a way to kill two birds with one stone. Who doesn’t want to have better communication and rational fuel for their decision making process?
6. Your IQ Will Go Up Significantly
It has been shown that Intelligence Quotient is affected by the acquisition of a new language. If you’re looking to join mensa, get a foreign language under your belt. Learning a new language could help land you in the genius zone. Of course, you may still want to take the practice exams to find out what they actually expect from you.
7. Learning Another Language Will Literally Change the Density of Your Brain’s Grey-Matter
This is not a joke. According to a study on the topic of language and the brain, published in 2004, the grey-matter in your inferior parietal cortex will become more dense as you acquire a second language. Therefore, learning a second language will not only have effects on your mental capabilities, but the physical structure of your brain too. The density of your inferior parietal cortex plays a key role in many cognitive functions. As it increases, so do various intellectual abilities. If that’s not solid proof that a new language will make you smarter, nothing is.
What did you learn, unexpectedly, when learning a foreign language?
Eva Creerson is a former ESL teacher . She now works as a student consultant and a writer at masterpapers.org writing service
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