Learning a new language is like a 'whole-body exercise' for older adults, but it's not an easy feat. Take the author's journey with Japanese as an example. Despite working in Japan for seven years, they still struggle to grasp the language. Their weekly language classes have taught them humility and the challenges of learning a new language later in life. The latest research suggests that speaking multiple languages can protect against rapid brain aging, and the effect increases with the number of languages. However, the author acknowledges that learning a language later in life is not the same as being bilingual, and it may not provide the same cognitive benefits as early bilingualism. Despite the challenges, the author finds that using language-learning apps and technology can be a useful tool, but progress requires real-life situations with other people. The key takeaway is that learning a new language is a stimulating and engaging activity that uses all of your brain, so it is like a whole-body exercise.
