If you’re on the lookout for a new hobby, learning a new language might not be on the top of your list – but there are plenty of reasons why it should be, especially if you’re over the age of 55! You don’t have to be in school to learn a new language. In fact, with so many options available for language-learning programs, software, apps and audio tools, it’s never been easier for anyone to learn a new language out of a classroom.
The following are just a few of the reasons why learning a new language is a great hobby for our 55+ residents at The Villages at Two Rivers:
Strengthen your brain. You might go to the gym to go for a run to work out your muscles – but did you know that your brain needs “exercise” too? And learning a new language is a particularly effective way to give your brain the mental exercise it needs, especially as we age. In fact, learning a new language can help to slow the cognitive decline we experience as we get older, according to an article from The Guardian. The article also states that learning a new language can even delay the onset of dementia, according to several studies.
Enjoy new experiences. The 55+ years are all about enjoying new experiences and hobbies, and learning a new language is a great way to break out of your comfort zone! Hobbies should enrich your life, and learning a new language can do just that – not only by learning a new vocabulary, but also by learning about the people, food and culture that surround your chosen new language. Even if you’ve never tried to learn a new language before, there’s no time like the present to give it a shot!
It’s fun! Sure, learning a new language can appear to be a daunting task – but you’ll likely find it to be a lot of fun, too. Learning at your own pace means there’s no pressure, and with a large variety of fun language learning apps and games at your disposal (such as popular app Duolingo), you can learn at your convenience from wherever you’d like. To make it an even better experience, try learning a new language with your significant other or friend. It’s a great way to spend time with each other and have a common goal to work towards!
SOURCE: The Guardian
