What is it about?
We trained older adults to learn a foreign language (English) for 6 months using a computer app. We saw improvements on several cognitive measures at 6 months and these were maintained at follow-up 3 months later.
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Why is it important?
Lifelong bilingualism is thought to lead to healthy cognitive ageing outcomes. Here, we provide the first evidence that foreign language training can improve cognition even when initiated in later life.
Perspectives
This study provides encouraging evidence that even older brains retain plasticity and that benefits may come from engaging in stimulating activities. Foreign language learning appears to be a particularly good activity for promoting healthy brain ageing.
Associate Professor Mark Antoniou
Western Sydney University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Language Training Leads to Global Cognitive Improvement in Older Adults: A Preliminary Study, Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, July 2019, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2019_jslhr-l-18-0321.
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