Speaking a second language improves problem-solving, multitasking and decision-making. Numerous studies have found that bilingualism can improve brain functions like the ability to focus attending and perform mental tasks. As a bilingual, you are constantly choosing in which language to say a word, and this gives you a lot of practice choosing important information and ignoring extraneous details. This also helps in multitasking and blocking out distractions.
Bilingualism can slow the effects of old age!! Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances, tends to decline as people age, but speaking a second language can block that decline, or at least significantly delay it.
