Benefits of Learning a Second Language: 17 Mind-Blowing Reasons to Learn a Language, Backed by Science

There are so many benefits to learning a second language… and I’ve come up with 17!

I know these benefits of learning a second language from my own experience learning languages. Plus I’ve seen them in action watching others learn languages in communities like the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. I’m a native English speaker. I also speak Japanese, Spanish and Korean in varying degrees.

Many of the benefits are also backed up by scientific research, and I’ve linked to this research where that’s available.

Wouldn’t it be nice to improve your memory, boost your physical and mental health, and make more money? You absolutely can, and it doesn’t take a magic potion or luck. All it takes is learning a second language!

Do the Benefits of Learning a Second Language Really Matter?

Yes! There are so many benefits to bilingualism. And they matter a lot!

Here at Fi3M we hear from so many language learners who tell us “I struggle to stay motivated in my language learning.” It’s a really common situation. You want to learn a language, but you can’t stick with it.

Knowing the real, scientifically-backed benefits to learning a second language gives you the push you need when your motivation starts to drop.

So with that in mind, here are 17 concrete advantages of learning a new language, many of them backed by science.