Knowing foreign languages is definitely an indispensable life skill. Especially now, in a world where the majority of boundaries only exist inside people’s heads. However, the benefits of knowing another language go far beyond the ability to communicate with foreigners.

Check out: Learn a second language to slow ageing brain’s decline

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Glossary

• persevere – continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no indication of success
• regardless – without regard or consideration for
• exhibit – manifest clearly (a quality or a type of behaviour)
• transpire – come to be known; be revealed
• homogenous – of the same kind; alike
• chime – be in agreement with

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Think about it

Answer the questions below.

• Does your IQ influence the benefits of learning a second language?
• In what way is being fluent in two languages beneficial for those suffering from Alzheimer’s?
• What do the numbers 853, 262 and 65 refer to?
• How did Bak’s team reach the conclusion that the extra language itself is beneficial?
• What does a leading theory say about why languages protect the brain?

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Practice  makes perfect

Fill in the blank spaces with the correct words.

Feel too old or too stupid 1. ________ learn a second language? It may be worth 2. ________. A study that tracked hundreds of Scottish people for decades is 3. ________ strongest evidence yet that speaking an extra language slows the mental decline that accompanies ageing. The benefits 4.________ regardless 5. ________ your IQ and even if you learn your second tongue as an adult.

1.

A. too

B. to

C. about

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2.

A. to persevere

B. persevering

C. and persevere

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3.

A. a

B. —

C. the

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4.

A. holds

B. held

C. hold

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5.

A. from

B. of

C. off

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