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你是否想到学习一两门新的外语？学习新的语言有助于增强自信心，接触新的文化，甚至还可以帮助你找到一份新工作。

有证据表明，拥有两种或两种以上的语言还可以提高人们的认知能力。与仅有一种语言相比，具有双语和多语言能力的头脑发挥的功能并不一样，成熟的程度也不尽相同。

学习另外一种语言有助于：

延缓阿滋海默症等失智症的发生

近期的研究认为，学习第二种语言可以延缓阿滋海默症等各类失智症的发生。研究人员通过一项研究发现，与仅有一门语言能力的人相比，拥有双语的人患失智症的年龄平均可延缓4年至4年半。

此外，你对第二门语言的掌握不必达到很流利的程度，只要努力学就有所帮助。

改善记忆

经常听人说，大脑就像肌肉一样用进废退。学习另外一种语言有助于改善记忆。

研究结果表明，双语儿童的记忆能力优于单一语言的同龄儿童，他们记名单和序列的能力较强。

提高决策能力

拥有另一种语言的能力可以提高人们权衡取舍的能力。研究人员通过一项研究发现，据有双语能力的人可利用第二种语言做出更明智的决策，不容易受到偏好的影响。

为增强大脑能力做好准备

你如果已经准备好学习新的语言，但是不知道从何着手的话，可以浏览ShareAmerica 的日常英语对话系列，收听每一期对话的音频资料练习英语会话。完成基本会话的课程后，还可以学习从有关动物, 食品 和足球的用语中形成的惯用语，进一步掌握有关美国英语的知识。

美国英语（American English） 网站为英语学生和教师提供各种免费的资源。美国英语脸书（American English Facebook） 也每日发布学习英语的资料。

Boost your brain by learning a new language

Have you ever thought about learning a second or third language? If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard that mastering a new language can boost your confidence, introduce you to a new culture or even land you a job.

There’s even evidence that speaking two or more languages offers cognitive benefits. The brains of bilingual and multilingual people function, and even age, differently than those of single-language speakers.

Learn another language and:

You can delay Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Recent research suggests that learning a second language can protect against different kinds of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, researchers found that bilingual people developed dementia an average four and a half years later than those who spoke only one language.

Even better: You don’t have to be perfectly fluent in that second language. Just trying to learn one can help.

You can improve your memory.

It’s often said that the brain is like a muscle: The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. While that may not be exactly true, it turns out that working memory, also called short-term memory, can be improved by learning another language.

Studies show that bilingual children have better working memory than their monolingual peers and are better at remembering lists or sequences.

You can make better decisions.

Speaking another language changes how people weigh their options. Researchers in one study found that bilingual subjects tended to make more rational decisions in their second language. They concluded that when using another language, people are less influenced by biases.

Ready to boost your brain?

Are you ready to learn a new language, but wondering where to start? If so, you’re in luck.

ShareAmerica offers a series of everyday conversations, with audio clips, to help practice English. Once you’ve learned the basics, make your English sound more American with idioms derived from animals, food and soccer.

The American English website offers a variety of free resources for learners and teachers of English. The American English Facebook page posts learning materials for English-language learners daily.