Reader in Psychology Thomas Bak thinks language learning is just as important for good health as physical exercise
Thomas recently visited the House of Lords where health benefits of bilingualism were discussed for the first time.
Whether bilingualism has health and cognitive benefits has long been a hot topic. Recent research suggests that language learning can offer benefits such as delaying the onset of dementia.
Here Thomas speaks to BBC Radio Scotland presenter Pennie Latin about the benefits of bilingualism in this Brainwaves episode.
BBC Radio Scotland – Brainwaves: Dr Thomas Bak
“It’s equally important to keep your mind fresh, to have mental exercise, and learning languages is in my view one of the best ways of doing so”
– Thomas Bak,
Reader in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh
About Thomas Bak
Thomas Bak is a Reader in Human Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. He also works with the language learning centre Bilingualism Matters. He is a clinical research fellow at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and also a member of the Centre for Cognitive Ageing & Cognitive Epidemiology (CCACE).
Centre for Cognitive Ageing & Cognitive Epidemiology (CCACE)