Child Development Monitoring from 0 to 5 Years (In French)
This workshop offers you an understanding of the motor, cognitive, language, socio-emotional, and sensory development stages of children aged 0 to 5.
Free
Learning a New Language: A Powerful Workout for the Brain
What if learning a language were not only a practical skill, but also a genuine act of cognitive health? Scientific research now confirms that language learning, even in adulthood, reshapes the brain, strengthens executive functions, and may help delay certain effects of aging.
The Adult Brain Remains Plastic
Contrary to the common belief that “the brain no longer learns after age 18,” neuroscience shows that brain structure continues to evolve when a person actively learns a new language. A study conducted with interpreters undergoing intensive language training demonstrated an increase in hippocampal volume (memory) and structural changes in frontal and temporal brain regions associated with language, after only three months of sustained learning (Mårtensson et al., 2012). A popular science summary of these findings highlights that “the brain literally changes shape when learning a language” (ScienceDaily, 2012).
Language and Cognition: Attention, Flexibility, Mental Control
Language learning strongly engages executive functions, including the ability to manage attention, inhibit automatic responses, switch between tasks, and solve problems in real time. Among older adults, these activities act as a form of cognitive exercise, supporting concentration and adaptive capacity. A recent review confirms that active use of one or more languages in daily life is associated with better performance in certain attention and cognitive control tasks (Gallo et al., 2022).
Cognitive Reserve: Slowing Age-Related Decline
There is growing interest in the role of multilingualism in preventing or slowing neurocognitive disorders. Research published in 2024 suggests that regular use of multiple languages may delay the clinical onset of dementia symptoms by 4 to 6 years, by strengthening what is known as cognitive reserve—the brain’s ability to compensate for natural or pathological deterioration (Gallo, 2024). Learning a language is not a miracle cure, but it complements other protective factors such as intellectual activity, mobility, social engagement, and sleep.
A Real Advantage, but Not an Automatic One
Not all learners experience the same cognitive benefits. Research shows that impact varies depending on:
- frequency of use,
- level of real-life exposure,
- age of acquisition,
- diversity of communication contexts,
- personal motivation.
A recent meta-analysis therefore emphasizes that the cognitive advantage of bilingualism is real but context-dependent, and that it relies as much on active language use as on learning itself (Review on bilingualism and executive functions, 2023).
How to Maximize the Brain Benefits?
Scientific literature converges on several effective strategies:
| Strategy | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Frequent practice, even short (10–15 min/day) | Strengthens long-term memory |
| Varied use (listening, speaking, reading, writing) | Activates multiple brain networks |
| Real social interaction | Increases motivation and consolidation |
| Constraint-based exercises (time limits, reformulation, language switching) | Stimulates executive functions |
| Partial immersion or intensive blocks | Accelerates neuroplastic changes |
Learning a Language at Collège Nordique
Collège Nordique offers:
- French, English, Spanish, and Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì courses,
- training adapted to adults, newcomers, students, and professionals,
- conversation workshops, immersive approaches, and personalized support based on individual needs.
Explore Our Language Courses
Key Takeaways
- Learning a language physically transforms the brain
- Executive functions (attention, control, flexibility) are strengthened
- Sustained use of multiple languages may delay cognitive decline
- Benefits are not automatic and depend on real-life practice
- Learning a language is an investment in cognitive health, social connection, and autonomy
References
Mårtensson J. et al. (2012). Growth of language-related brain areas after intensive language learning. NeuroImage. PubMed
Legault J. et al. (2019). Cortical thickness and L2 vocabulary: a longitudinal study. Brain and Language. ScienceDirect
Rossi E. et al. (2017). White matter and second language learning in adults. Frontiers in Psychology. PMC
Gallo F. et al. (2022). Bilingualism, aging, and delay in symptom onset. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Frontiers
Venugopal A. et al. (2024). Systematic review on protection against cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Wiley
Nilsson J. et al. (2021). Second language learning in older adults: brain effects and predictors. Neurobiology of Aging. PMC
Yurtsever A. et al. (2023). Critical meta-analysis of executive functions (variability of effects). Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. ScienceDirect