What Do You Know About Learning a Second Language?

Research shows that speaking more than one language can have big cognitive advantages — whether you learn your second language as a child or as an adult.

People can learn a new language at any age, says AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health. And, yes, that group considers language learning a good way to engage your brain, one of the six pillars of brain health in AARP’s Staying Sharp. 

Children have a leg up when it comes to learning languages. But they don’t worry about making mistakes, and you shouldn’t either. Holding back until you’ve formulated the perfect phrase may stifle your progress.

Learning a new language opens doors to travel, new friendships and, yes, a confidence-boosting sense of achievement.

For a language that's relatively easy for English speakers, such as Spanish or Italian, to speak well enough to get beyond pleasantries takes a time commitment of about 5 hours a week over at least 24 weeks.