15 March Reasons to Learn a New Language After Retirement, And How to Do It March 15, 2017 By Editor Wellness health, language and health, retirement, seniors 0 There are plenty of reasons to pick up a new language even after you've retired, here are several: Have a deeper experience when traveling. Traveling during retirement can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. It’s a time that you’ve earned to see new things, explore new places, and learn about a new side of yourself. During this time, it’s one thing to go around snapping photos to remember your experiences, but if you are able to take the time to connect with the locals, you will create an entirely different experience for yourself. You will learn much more about the people, area, and maybe even a few of the places undiscovered by tourists. Learning a new language is great for brain health. According to a study done by Penn State University, learning a second language rewires your brain in a way, allowing you to increase the efficiency with which information is transferred across different areas of the brain. Today, there are plenty of resources to utilize in learning a new language. Here are a few tips. Listen to podcasts. In the car, on a walk, or relaxing outside are great times to utilize podcasts. ‘Coffee Break Spanish’ and ‘Daily French Pod’ are just a couple of the podcasts dedicated to helping people learn a new language. Do some research and see which one is the right fit for you. Connect language with another interest of yours. Interests in foreign cinema, wine, or international cuisine are great to explore as a tool in learning a new language. Practice with a native speaker. Practicing out loud with someone who speaks the language as their first is undoubtedly the best way to learn to communicate. As opposed to focusing on grammar and sentence structure, you’ll learn the best ways to get your thoughts and ideas across – which is what really matters anyway. Read in the new language. It might sound silly, but try reading children’s books in another language first, working your way up to more substantial books. Keep a dictionary handy to look up the words you don’t understand and make notes in the margins as you read. Reading is a great way to learn to discern meanings from the context they are in. In other words, you won’t understand each word, but by understanding some of the words around them and the general message, you’ll be able to connect the dots. Related Posts 17 Reasons Consumers Choose Medicare Supplement Over Medicare Advantage A list of the main reasons consumers choose a Medicare Supplement plan over a Medicare Advantage plan. 19 Things to Try in Retirement! If you're looking for the first or next thing to try out in retirement, there's no end to the hobbies, activities, and adventures you can get into. Here are 19 to consider! Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 3 After much studying and contemplation, Maggie takes the necessary steps to acquire a Medicare Supplement policy. Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 4 Medigap Maggie's learning journey reaches its end and epilogue. Here, further details and potential scenarios are given, and questions are answered. Health Tip Recap #3 - August 2023 Our physical state and mental well-being are much too precious not to look after and nurture every day. For this third Health Tip Wednesday recap covering August 2023, we delve into mental wellness, the perks of having pets, health-giving plants, the benefits of a food garden, and plant-based beverages. Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 2 Maggie continues her quest to learn more about healthcare at age 65 and beyond. In Part 2 of our blog series, she discovers the myriad of details that make up this supplemental insurance. Comments are closed.