Being Bilingual

What was the old belief about being bilingual?

• It was believed to cause confusion.

• It was thought to be beneficial.

• It was considered a sign of intelligence.

• It was seen as a cultural advantage.

What specific mental abilities are improved by regularly switching between languages?

• Concentration & problem-solving.

• Memory & and creativity.

• Physical strength and endurance.

• Physical strength & creativity

What does the period of '4 to 4.5 years' specifically represent?

• The average time it takes for a person to become bilingual.

• The duration of time it takes to build significant cognitive reserve.

• The period of improved memory experienced by bilinguals.

• The delay in the development of dementia for bilingual individuals.

What is a general method for building cognitive reserve?

• By avoiding mentally challenging tasks.

• By regularly exercising physically.

• By learning anything new.

• Only by learning complex languages.

According to Prof. Li Wei, how is the brain described in relation to language learning?

• Primarily a tool for physical coordination.

• A complex set of neural networks.

• A static structure that resists change.

• A simple system of memory storage.

How does learning a language later in life affect the brain?

• It has no effect on the brain.

• It requires modifying existing neural networks.

• It decreases cognitive reserve.

• It is easier than learning as a child.

A 2023 investigation shed light on brain networks. The study included a group of children who had early ______________________________ to two languages from birth.

A key discovery was that this group exhibited the strongest neural _______ within their brain networks.

This suggests their brains were better connected at ______

Recent research also indicates that individuals tend to react with more emotion in their first language, but respond more _____________ in a more detached manner when using their second language.