According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, there are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and this number is expected to rise to over one million by 2025. In light of these statistics it’s not surprising that hundreds of studies have been published in the hope of finding a way to stop or even slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Thankfully, two such studies have revealed startling evidence to suggest that weekly language lessons could be one way to slow the development of this destructive disease.
The Research
Scientists from York University in Toronto have revealed that learning a second language and regularly engaging in conversation in that language could improve cognitive skills and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, which monitored 211 people who were likely to have the disease, revealed that bilingual speakers could hold off Alzheimer’s for an extra four years on average when compared to single language speakers.
These results have since been replicated by scientists from the University of Ghent in Belgium, who revealed that bilingualism could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s for four years or more. Based on a study of 134 people who were undergoing treatment for the disease, the research found that both the manifestation and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s occurred at least four years later in bilingual participants compared to monolingual participants.
Moving Forward
Although these results aren’t conclusive, they may bring hope to those who are concerned about their health, or the health of family members. Both studies concluded that speaking a second language aided cognitive function to some extent, even if knowledge of the language only reached an A-level standard.
Here at Bubbles we certainly believe in the benefits of learning multiple languages. There’s the medical benefit of keeping your mind healthier for longer and the additional benefit of the broader outlook that languages provide, keeping our minds open to a global perspective on business and life.
