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Learning another language can make traveling easier, deepen relationships, widen your connections, increase professional opportunities, and let you see the world more fully. It can also be one of the best things you can do for your future self, protecting the aging brain and delaying the onset of dementia. The impacts of learning a new language on brain health are remarkable, and have been studied a great deal.

Even at later ages in life, the second language experience actually boosts your brain’s reserves.

The science says it’s not too late!  And you don’t have to become fluent.

“Students who are learning a second language later in life can still benefit from some of the neurological changes that happen to speakers of second languages, no matter what level they are at.”

These include things like memory and attention span, which improved across all age groups in a study of 18-78 year olds. 

Results of a study showed that participants benefitted from even a short period (one week) of intensive language learning, and that “these short-term effects can be maintained through continuous practice.”

Outside your brain health, imagine the joy of hearing Neruda’s poetry in Spanish, watching undubbed international shows, saying good morning to your Gujarati neighbors, and having a little more confidence to navigate while traveling in a foreign country.

Whether you are already fluent in a different language or a beginner, make DPPL your first stop for various language materials for learning, practice, news, and leisure.

• Peruse our digital language learning resources.
• The 2nd floor has books and games in Polish and Spanish. (My pro tip for adult language learners – LOTE4Kids storytimes in other languages is a great way to hone your listening skills and build vocabulary in a fun way, since many picture books have easy-to-follow storylines and a lot of repetition.)
• On the fourth floor, our world language collection includes fiction, nonfiction, and periodicals in Arabic, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Ukranian, and Urdu. 

Click here to see how to find the library’s world language collections, and access quick links to our catalog for specific languages in our world language collection.

Our library consortium has materials in these and 159 additional languages!