Lesson
Learning Languages Slows Brain Ageing
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Research shows that speaking multiple languages can make brains appear younger, potentially slowing brain ageing by up to 13 years.
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Standard — Natural English
66 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Learning another language can help your brain stay younger. A study found that people who speak more languages have brains that look younger than those who speak only one. Speaking two languages can make your brain look six years younger, and four languages can make it look 13 years younger.Standard version (B1–B2)
A recent study suggests that learning another language may slow brain ageing significantly. Those who speak two languages have brains that appear about six years younger than those who speak just one. The study also found that speaking three languages makes the brain look seven years younger, while speaking four languages can make it look 13 years younger. This research highlights the cognitive benefits of multilingualism.Advanced version (C1–C2)
According to recent research presented at a neuroscience conference, learning additional languages can significantly decelerate the ageing process of the brain. The study indicates that individuals who are bilingual exhibit neurological characteristics akin to those of younger individuals, with two languages correlating to a brain age approximately six years younger than monolingual peers. Furthermore, the findings reveal that trilingual individuals have brains that appear seven years younger, while those proficient in four languages show a remarkable 13-year reduction in brain age. This research underscores the importance of multilingualism in maintaining cognitive health as we age.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01How much can learning a language slow brain ageing?
02What is the effect of speaking two languages on brain age?
03What technology did scientists use to measure brain activity?
04Where was the study presented?
Discussion
How do you think learning a new language could benefit your life?
Vocabulary
ageing word
the process of getting older
“Ageing can affect our memory and speed of thought.”
multilingualism word
the ability to speak multiple languages
“Multilingualism is common in many regions around the world.”
neurological word
related to the nervous system and brain
“Neurological studies help us understand brain functions.”
cognitive word
related to thinking and understanding
“Cognitive skills are important for learning new information.”
connectivity word
the way in which different parts of the brain communicate
“Brain connectivity can decline as we get older.”