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February 15, 2013Languages in the News Learning a Language Makes the Brain Bigger
Another current study conducted at Saint Michael's Hospital in Toronto, looked at how bilingualism impacted cognitive decline as a result of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers studied the brains of Alzheimer's patients using CT scans. Researchers matched bilingual patients up with monolingual patients who had a similar level of cognitive performance and education. The brains of the bilingual patients were more degraded than the brains of the monolingual patients, though both had the same cognitive performance.
The author explains the Alzheimer's symptoms were not as bad as
they should have been even though the language speakers had more
advanced disease. The article concludes by stating that learning
a new language may give the brain the exercise it needs to stay
healthy. Click here to read "Learning a Language Makes the Brain Bigger." The Bicultural Advantage
Click here to read "The Bicultural Advantage"
Tips and Tools
Click on the "Español" link to access comic strips and puzzles in Spanish. Click on the "Portuguese" link to access comic strips in Portuguese. Resources are only available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Click here to access Universal Uclick.
Mi Vida Loca
My Crazy Life follows the story of someone visiting Madrid for the first time. It is done in a mystery/detective format broken down into twenty-two episodes, all available online. The action is broken down into 10-15 minute segments, in which grammar is reviewed at the end. In the interactive portion, viewers can make choices about the action and receive feedback about those choices. This program is helpful for those who wish to improve their Castilian Spanish accents as well as learn about sites in and around Madrid. Click here to access Mi Vida Loca. Advice for Learning Japanese Whether you teach Japanese, German, Spanish or Arabic, this YouTube video with tips for learning Japanese translates across all languages. It sums up tips language teachers provide their students, but in peer jargon and in a format to which most students are accustomed. Click here to access Advice for Learning Japanese. Apps for iPads, iPods and iPhones
Three Ring
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Researchers
from Lund University in Sweden have evidence from a recent study
that individuals who learn languages have larger brains. The
researchers compared the brains of students from the Swedish
Armed Forces Interpreter Academy, who studied languages, to
science students at Umeå University who had not studied
languages. The researchers took MRI scans of both groups of
students before and after a three-month period of studying. The
brains of the science students did not change or grow, but the
brains of the students who studied languages experienced growth
in areas of their cerebral cortex and in their hippocampus.
This
article reflects on the author's experience of living abroad in
Italy as it relates to his journey to becoming 'bicultural.' In
addition to anecdotes which relay his initial struggles and
eventual embrace of Italian culture, he inserts relevant studies
from business and psychology researchers that show how
integrating new experiences creates new skill sets. Rather than
reject a home or a native culture, integrating aspects of both
cultures in one's life leads to greater creativity,
entrepreneurial skill, and innovation.
Universal
Uclick
Little Story Maker
This
issue of Newsworthy was compiled by Tammy Dann.
Send any comments, questions or information for future issues to
her at National Network for Early Langage Learning
info@nnell.org