Seu próximo nível começa aqui
Seu desenvolvimento não pode ter limites. Garanta sua Assinatura Ilimitada e libere uma preparação completa com os melhores professores do Brasil.
Mark the alternative that correctly fills in the blanks of...
T E X T 2
How learning a new language changes your brain
73 People learn a new language for all sorts of reasons – to
74 work or study in another country, move abroad, or simply
75 for pleasure. No matter the motivation, many students
76 find that the experience of studying a new language
77 enriches their lives. But did you also know a language
78 changes your brain at a physical level?
79 Numerous studies have examined how learning a new
80 language at different ages can make a difference to the
81 way your brain works. Let’s take a look at how learning a
82 second language affects your brain.
83 A neurological perspective on language learning
84 Bilingual people, who have learned two languages side by
85 side from early childhood, have been studied by scientists
86 for decades. They are keen to understand how speaking
87 two languages fluently affects people on a cognitive level.
88 And with the advent of MRI technology, researchers are
89 now able to see on a very visual level the differences
90 between monolingual brains and bilingual brains.
91 Everyone’s brain is made up of neurons, which have a cell
92 body, and dendrites, which are the connections between
93 neurons. This is what we call “grey matter.”
94 Bilingual people have more of these neurons and
95 dendrites compared to people who speak only one
96 language. This means that their grey matter is denser.
97 Bilingualism also has an impact on white matter – that is,
98 a system of nerve fibres which connect all four lobes of
99 the brain. This system coordinates communication
100 between the different brain regions, helping your brain to
101 learn and function.
102 Bilingual adults have increased white matter
103 integrity compared to adults who only speak one
104 language. Their second language experience actually
105 boosts their brain’s reserves.
106 What about people who learn a language later on?
107 Students who are learning a second language later in life
108 can still benefit from some of the neurological changes
109 that happen to speakers of second languages, no matter
110 what level they are at. Having new experiences (novelty)
111 is an important factor in forming new connections in the
112 brain and strengthening nervous system links. These links
113 and connections are maintained through regular
114 practice.
115 Through the study of a new language, students learn new
116 words and grammatical constructs and build on their
117 previous knowledge as part of the learning process. This
118 combination is one of the reasons that language learning
119 is such an effective brain workout and protects older
120 learners against dementia and other degenerative
121 neurological conditions.
122 But everyone can benefit from language learning.
123 Language learning is arguably one of the most complex
124 mental activities you can do. So, it’s a powerful way to
125 exercise your brain.
126 How language learning boosts other skills
127 Given the measurable impact of language learning on the
128 brain, it’s no surprise that these physical changes are
129 accompanied by the improvement of certain other skills
130 such as communication, creativity, recall and
131 concentration.
132 1. Better academic performance
133 When researchers analyzed 20 studies on language
134 learning and its impact on academic performance, they
135 observed a better performance of language learners
136 across a range of academic subjects than the
137 performance of students who don’t study a second
138 language. Learning another language also boosts student
139 literacy, which gives learners an advantage in core school
140 subjects like mathematics and science.
141 2. Improved concentration
142 Just one week of learning a new language has a positive
143 impact on students’ levels of alertness and focus. This
144 improvement was maintained with continuous language
145 study of at least five hours a week. Moreover, this
146 study encompassed learners from the age of 18 to 78,
147 and the improvement in attention span was noted across
148 all age groups. So, studying a new language will boost
149 students’ concentration, no matter what age they are.
150 3. A more powerful memory
151 Studying a language engages memorization skills (learning
152 new words and rules) as well as recall (producing new
153 language in-class activities). So it’s no surprise that people
154 who regularly use a second language have more powerful
155 memories. In fact, research shows that people who speak
156 a second language regularly perform better on memory
157 tests than monolingual people. It makes no difference
158 whether they learned the language as a child or as an
159 adult, either. What’s more, language learning improves
160 both short term and long term memory,
161 4. Stronger communication skills
162 Early studies on language learning found evidence that it
163 boosted learners’ empathy. More recent research has
164 found that empathy is a key trait for success in learning a
165 second language. Speaking a second language can help to
166 improve students’ ability to see things from another
167 perspective. In turn, this can have a positive impact on
168 their communication skills. In addition, the practice of
169 academic skills involved in language study, such as active
170 listening, can improve learners’ communication skills in
171 their everyday lives.
172 5. More creativity
173 Bilingual children exhibit more creativity in problem-
174 solving and flexibility than their monolingual peers. The
175 same holds true for learners of a second language.
176 Researchers across different studies have found that
177 studying a language seems to unlock students’ creative
178 abilities. This could be the result of the thought processes
179 involved in language learning. These include translation,
180 language switching and disciplined study, along with a
181 willingness to learn and adapt.
182
183 Language learning skills will help learners in all areas of
184 their lives, improving their mental abilities, and helping
185 them with problem-solving and decision–making.
186 Ultimately, this all goes towards enriching their personal,
187 social and professional relationships. So, whether you’re a
188 learner or a teacher of other languages, you’re building
189 skills, exercising your brain and building your cognitive
190 reserves every time you speak a second language!
Adapted from: https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29.
Mark the alternative that correctly fills in the blanks of the quotes below with the appropriate reflexive pronoun.
“Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life _________ 1 would come to be different. Life would undergo a change of appearance because we _________ 2 had undergone a change of attitude.”
Katherine Mansfield
“I saw _________ 3 driving through Eternity in a timeless taxi.”
Katherine Mansfield
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows _________ 4 to be a fool.”
William Shakespeare
A
itself1 , ourselves2 , myself3 , himself4
B
himself1 , myself2 , ourselves3 , themselves4
C
herself1 , ourselves2 , themselves3 , herself4
D
itself1 , themselves2 , myself3 , herself4