Learning a foreign language is good mental exercise

London: Learning foreign languages is good mental exercise and improves neuron function, a study has found.

The study mentions that the more foreign languages one learns, the more effectively brain reacts and processes the data garnered in the course of learning.

Researchers carried out experiments among 22 students (10 male and 12 female) where the brain’s electrical activity was measured with EEG (electroencephalography).

The subjects had electrodes placed on their heads and then listened to recordings of different words in their native language, as well in foreign languages.

When the known or unknown words popped up, changes in the brain’s activity were tracked and the researchers especially focused on the speed at which the brain readjusted its activity to treat unknown words.

The experiment showed that the brain’s electrical activity of those participants, who had already known some foreign languages, was higher.