Good Health and Wellbeing: A Language's Perspective

This blog post was written by Rachel, a Masters of International Business and French student. This blog post aims to provide readers with an insight into the positive effects of language learning on health and wellbeing, and how this contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing. 

How can learning a new language improve your health and wellbeing? 

 

In a world of globalisation, and with machine translation at our fingertips, why should you bother to take the time to learn a language? In today’s age, what can we do to show the true potential which language learning can have on one’s personal life? What are the true benefits of learning a language, and lastly how can learning a language contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing?  

 

Over the last three decades, a number of studies have confirmed the significant benefits of language learning (Baker and Wright, 2017). Valdés, Kibler and Philipose’s (2004) compilation of studies between 1961 to 2004 explored three main areas: 

1.     how learning a language can support academic achievements,

2.     the cognitive benefits of language learning for students, 

3.     and how learning a language can impact attitudes or beliefs of language learning or of other cultures. 

With the compilation of these studies, Valdés et al. determined that language learning or bilingualism has a significantly positive impact on a learner’s academic performance, their cognitive abilities, attitudes and beliefs. 

 

Further studies have explored the impact of language learning on basic human brain processes, such as, the ability to plan, focus attention, remember instructions and multi-tasking. Findings from these studies have correlated bilingualism or language learning with a heightened development of executive functioning in the human brain (Corretjer et al., 2019). Furthermore, research findings from Barac and Bialystok (2012) has revealed bilingual children achieved better performance on language tasks in comparison to their peers. This highlights that language learning can significantly impact an individual’s everyday life in basic functions such as planning, focusing and multi-tasking. Therefore, the correlation between learning a language and an improved wellbeing is clear.

 

A number of studies have investigated the impact of language learning on cognitive abilities in terms of aging and health, with the overall conclusion suggesting a clear advantage to language learnings or bilinguals (Corretjer et al., 2019). Within these studies there has been conclusions that language learning can lead to delays and the prevention of dementia or cognitive delays, and furthermore building cognitive reserve (the minds resistance to the damage of the brain) to support positive aging in older citizens (Del Maschio et al., 2018; Perani et al., 2017; Santens et al., 2015). 

 

With the consideration of these studies, there is clearly a significant impact of language learning on the everyday life of a language learner. Whilst learning a language, an individual can reap the benefits of improved basic brain processes which will lead to a stronger academic performance. Furthermore, a language learner can benefit from improved cognitive abilities which will lead to the delay of major health issues such as dementia and allow the brain to build a cognitive reserve and prevent damage to the brain supporting positive aging (Corretjer et al., 2019). Clearly, with the cognitive health benefits and improvement of wellbeing due to the impact on basic human brain processes, language learning has the opportunity to play a significant role in the achievement of the UN’s sustainable development goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. 

 

Now, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started! 

Duolingo 

Duolingo is an app filled with games and language lessons to fuel your language learning. On Duolingo you can practice your writing, listening, speaking and grammar skills! 

Netflix 

Netflix is a great way to learn a new language! Try watching movies or series in your chosen language with subtitles... 

References List: 

Barac, R. and Bialystok, E., 2012. Bilingual effects on cognitive and linguistic development: Role of language, cultural background, and education. Child development, 83(2), pp.413-422.

 

Del Maschio, N., Sulpizio, S., Gallo, F., Fedeli, D., Weekes, B.S. and Abutalebi, J., 2018. Neuroplasticity across the lifespan and aging effects in bilinguals and monolinguals. Brain and cognition, 125, pp.118-126.

 

Fox, R., Corretjer, O. and Webb, K., 2019. Benefits of foreign language learning and bilingualism: An analysis of published empirical research 2012–2019. Foreign Language Annals, 52(4), pp.699-726.

 

Perani, D., Farsad, M., Ballarini, T., Lubian, F., Malpetti, M., Fracchetti, A., Magnani, G., March, A. and Abutalebi, J., 2017. The impact of bilingualism on brain reserve and metabolic connectivity in Alzheimer's dementia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(7), pp.1690-1695.

 

Valdés, G., Kibler, A. and Philipose, S., 2004. What does research show about the benefits of language learning. 

 

Woumans, E.V.Y., Santens, P., Sieben, A., Versijpt, J.A.N., Stevens, M. and Duyck, W., 2015. Bilingualism delays clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 18(3), pp.568-574.

 

Wright, W.E. and Baker, C., 2017. Key concepts in bilingual education. Bilingual and Multilingual Education. Encyclopedia of Language and Education. 3rd ed. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp.65-80.