Hi, I’m Azeline, and over the past six months I’ve been interning with LINCS at Heriot-Watt University. During my time here, I’ve had the chance to work closely with staff, some students, and alumni, exploring the many ways languages shape our lives. What I quickly discovered is that learning a language is never “just” about words, it’s about culture, identity, opportunity, and even how our brains work. This series, The Language Lens, brings together some of those insights and stories, and highlights how languages open doors to new perspectives and possibilities.
Through these posts, I share some of the insights and stories I’ve gathered, from conversations with academics like Assistant Professors Fanny Chouc, Juliette Rutherford, and José M. Conde, to the inspiring journey of alumni Andrea Wieler Goodbrand, HWU alumna. Together, their experiences show that languages open doors: to careers, to connections, and to new perspectives on the world.
This week we are spending time with Assistant Prof. Fanny Chouc, our Career Liaison Officer.
Language Learning: The Brain Booster You Didn’t Know You Needed!
Think learning a new language is just about grammar and vocab? Think again! It’s like taking your brain to the gym, with serious long-term benefits.
According to Ms. Chouc from Heriot-Watt’s LINCS department, studying languages does more than just unlock travel and career doors. It actually makes your brain healthier. Research shows multilingual people are more likely to have improved memory, better focus, and even reduced risks of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
🌍 Foreign language learning presents a promising and accessible strategy for enhancing cognitive reserve, delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and improving quality of life in older adults. (Đolić 2025)
Ms. Chouc explains that monolingualism is not the norm. Over 60% of the world grows up bilingual. Yet in the UK, nearly two-thirds of adults speak only their mother tongue, making us one of the most monolingual nations in Europe. In a world where multilingualism is increasingly the baseline, this puts us at a disadvantage.
Language learning isn’t just a personal asset; it’s a national imperative. As the UK redefines its global role, language skills are vital for staying competitive in international business, diplomacy, and innovation. Being able to connect across cultures isn’t just enriching, it’s essential. When you learn another language, you don’t just pick up vocabulary and grammar; you gain a passport to access different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, and start to experience the world as others do.
This is exactly what students within LINCS experience when they study abroad at one of our 43 partner institutions worldwide. In a recent survey, many described how their time abroad not only strengthened their language skills but also broadened their horizons. They spoke of the people they met, the collaboration and problem-solving skills they developed, and the independence and self-understanding they gained. These experiences show how language learning and cultural immersion go hand in hand, preparing graduates to thrive in an interconnected world. And not to mention that they are also setting themselves up for a future of stronger cognitive memory and lifelong mental agility.
So, if you’ve ever felt like being bilingual was a “nice-to-have”, think again. In our globalised world, it’s a superpower. Whether you’re aiming for a career in international business, interpreting, teaching, or something completely different like medicine or sport, being multilingual puts you ahead. Employers love the extra edge: you don’t just bring skills; you bring connections and cultural fluency.
And the benefits don’t stop at work. Language learning also future proofs your mind, keeping it active and resilient for years to come. Ordering a croissant in Paris is a perk. Staying sharp at 80? That’s the real payoff. Language learning: the ultimate brain food.
Đolić, S., 2025. ENHANCING COGNITIVE RESERVE THROUGH FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING: DELAYING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA IN THE AGING POPULATION. KNOWLEDGE-International Journal, 69(5), pp.853-858.