Member Highlight : Sue embraces the challenge of learning a new language

Learning a language as an older adult can significantly benefit cognitive health by improving memory retention, enhancing problem solving skills, boosting brain plasticity and potentially delaying the onset of demential, all while providing a sense of accomplishment and opening doors to new cultural experiences when traveling or connecting to others who speak the language.

Sue and husband Whitney had been bouncing around the idea of learning a second language for a few years. Soon after retirement they decided on Spanish and traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico for their first Immersion School experience. They had first traveled there on their Honeymoon and vacationed there with their kids over the years as well.  They have just returned from their third year of classes. The instructor meets with them one on one for four hours.  They have the afternoons to enjoy all the art and food Oaxaca is famous for.

It is exciting when you “get” something and when you feel your brain being challenged. In fact, Sue mentioned the lingering effect of feeling smarter for a while after they return home. It can also be a bit frustrating because it takes a lot of effort just to progress to the toddler stage of speech and significant dedication to become fluent.

Learning language in this way benefits you by challenging your brain and becoming more culturally aware.