The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Learning a Language

Unless you live under a rock, I’m assuming you’re more than aware of disease, COVID 19 that’s spread across the world faster than express mail. No doubt some part of your life has been affected by the pandemic and you are probably finding it difficult to stay optimistic thanks to all the negative news and exponential rise in cases and deaths. This virus has taken tens of thousands of lives and disrupted millions due to job loss, sick loved ones and government mandated isolation.

While I’m not going to discuss any of those issues, as they’re outside my realm of expertise, I’d like to discuss how my favorite pastime, language learning can help us cope mentally and emotionally during times of stress such as this pandemic.

There have been multiple studies conducted around the world that prove being multilingual and learning a second language literally strengthens your brain. A study done at Penn State University showed multilingualism improves one’s ability to multitask (something I’m sure we’re all doing more of due to “stay/work from home” orders). The same study also found multilingual individuals are more likely to consider situations from different perspectives, essentially avoiding narrow-mindedness which can only impede mental and personal development.

Furthermore, a study done at the University of Edinburgh confirmed learning another language can increase cognitive flexibility. This is true whether or not you begin your multilingual journey early or later on in life, so rest assured it’s never too late! And then there’s this study that proved it can actually help you make better decisions, something I think we’ve all been trying to do in light of staying healthy during this time of uncertainty.

Thus, there’s no denying language learning strengthens your brain, but can it help us cope emotionally and keep calm during times of crisis?

My personal opinion is yes, and I’ve been using my passion for language learning to help cope during this period of isolation.

I have for the first time in a while, actually been consistently meeting my French language maintenance goals (daily podcasts, finish a French book each week, write a French language journal) and discovered these efforts are quite emotionally therapeutic.

How so? I’m glad you asked!

Listen

Let’s start with podcasts. When do you typically listen to podcasts, whether for language learning purposes or otherwise? I’m willing to bet for the vast majority of us (myself included!) podcasts are played during another activity such as commuting, cooking, laundry or exercising. Heck, I even suggest this so you can easily fit language practice into your daily routine. However research shows, if we’re multitasking we’re not really reaping the full benefit, especially if listening to improve language comprehension. Not to mention performing multiple duties at once tends to make us feel more frazzled and unproductive and thus impeding our mental well-being as well as our language learning progress!

How should we combat this? I recently read Helen Russell’s wonderful book “Leap Year” where she interviews Professor Alex Korb from UCLA’s neuroscience department about the brain. He recommends listening to podcasts as a method of practicing mindfulness.

Why is this a big deal? Well, Professor Korb essentially challenges our assumptions that podcasts should be combined with another activity. While his research isn’t focused on linguistics, but rather mindfulness and mental well-being, I think the two can easily be combined. If us language-learners take his advice and just listen without doing anything else, we’ll not only pick up more of the language and better absorb the information, but according to Professor Korb, relax and meditate in the process.

I decided to give it a go while listening to French podcasts and noticed I do indeed have a bit of a tic to get up and do something else (stretch, put clothes away, etc.) and have to actively make myself sit and listen. But once I do, even if I only make it through 10 or 15 minutes of the podcast I’m much more relaxed afterwards and feel as though I’ve absorbed more information.

Since most of us are stuck at home and may not be in our “usual” routine anyways (with a commute or gym time to listen to podcasts), this could be the perfect time to implement a new mindfulness technique! It will also help quiet your mind at a time of over-stimulation with constant media updates on the current pandemic.

Read a new language

Furthermore, since having tons of free time (thanks government mandated isolation!) I’ve been reading a lot more, particularly French literature, ensuring my reading comprehension will improve by the end of all this! It’s also been an amazing method of escapism – no better way to forget your current circumstances than to be taken to a new world (and different time) in a good book!

Write in a new language

I think we can all agree writing our thoughts, feelings and concerns on paper is excellent therapy and makes our mind feel a lot lighter. I typically journal, although the frequency varies depending on my life circumstance. However, since  being told to “stay home” by work and my Governor, I’ve written everyday, as this will more than likely be a historic time in modern history and I’d like to have my own personal record.

Additionally, I recently decided to begin journaling in French, and aim to do so every-other-day while in isolation. It will be quite interesting to see how my French writing skills develop and how I express myself differently in another language! I’ve found it immensely helpful to write down my thoughts and feelings revolving around all the uncertainty in the world, and it’s been cathartic and sparked creativity in me to do so in French.

Etc.

Some goals I have for the coming weeks of “stay at home” are; watch more French movies and TV (heavens knows I have time) and maybe do some exercise videos on Youtube in French.

I want to give a big thank you and merci to all our front line essential workers (healthcare professionals, grocery and pharmacy workers, law enforcement, transportation workers and anyone else I’m leaving out) as well, you’re in my (English and French) thoughts everyday.

How about you? Have you been learning a language while at home? Has it helped you cope mentally at all? Comment below!