The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A new study shows that being bilingual may delay dementia by five or more years. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland discovered that people who spoke two languages did not show any signs of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those who were monolingual. A co-author of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training, contributing to cognitive reserve, which can help delay dementia." This means that speaking two languages keeps the brain in better health and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's at bay for longer than if someone spoke just one language.

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism and the delaying of dementia had little to do with social status, gender, occupation or educational background. Bak's team evaluated the medical records of 648 people from India who had been diagnosed with dementia. Of these patients, 391 were bilingual or trilingual and many were illiterate. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual advantage is not caused by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also found in illiterates, who have never attended any school." He suggested that learning a language later in life could keep the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable, and it forces your brain to train permanently".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20131106/speaking-two-languages-may-delay-dementia-symptoms
  • http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24537-learn-another-language-to-delay-three-dementias.html
  • http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2013/11/06/01.wnl.0000436620.33155.a4


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)



The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. BILINGUALISM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bilingualism. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

a new study / being bilingual / dementia / brain training / cognitive / better health / research / social status / occupation / illiterate / education / enjoyable / permanently

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. HEALTHY BRAIN: How do/can these things keep the brain healthy? How important are they? ('10' = very; '1' = not at all). Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Importance (1-10)

Why?

Your life?

Language learning

 

 

 

Laughter

 

 

 

Love

 

 

 

Diet

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Sleep

 

 

 

4. TRAINING: Students A strongly believe training your brain is more important than exercising your body; Students B strongly believe exercise is more important.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. BRAIN: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the things that are best for the brain at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • reading

  • crossword puzzles

  • using a computer

  • sleep

  • studying English

  • exercise

  • good food

  • meditation

6. LANGUAGES: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "languages". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

Learning a language may slow down dementia by five years or more.

T / F

b.

Tests showed bilingual people had no signs of any type of dementia.

T / F

c.

A doctor said language learning was good training for the brain.

T / F

d.

Language learning cannot delay Alzheimer's disease.

T / F

e.

The research found dementia depended on social status and jobs.

T / F

f.

All of the people researched were bilingual or trilingual.

T / F

g.

The research included those who couldn't read and didn't go to school.

T / F

h.

The doctor suggested that language learning was enjoyable socially.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

study

a.

leading to

2.

delay

b.

proved / proven

3.

types

c.

away

4.

contributing to

d.

analysed

5.

at bay

e.

benefit

6.

gender

f.

postpone

7.

evaluated

g.

for good

8.

advantage

h.

sex

9.

confirmed

i.

report

10.

permanently

j.

kinds

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

being bilingual may delay dementia

a.

successful brain training

2.

did not show any signs of

b.

many were illiterate

3.

Bilingualism can be seen as a

c.

at bay for longer

4.

speaking two languages keeps

d.

the medical records

5.

helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's

e.

by five or more years

6.

the delaying of dementia had little

f.

keep the brain healthier

7.

Bak's team evaluated

g.

to do with social status

8.

391 were bilingual or trilingual and

h.

the brain in better health

9.

learning a language later in life could

i.

socially more enjoyable

10.

language learning was

j.

three types of dementia

 

GAP FILL

A new study shows that being bilingual may (1) ____________ dementia by five or more years. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland (2) ____________ that people who spoke two languages did not show any (3) ____________ of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those who were (4) ____________.   A co-(5) ____________ of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training, (6) ____________ to cognitive reserve, which can help delay dementia." This means that speaking two languages keeps the brain in better (7) ____________ and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's at (8) ____________ for longer than if someone spoke just one language.

 

 

monolingual
health
signs
bay
delay
contributing
discovered
author

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism and the delaying of dementia had (9) ____________ to do with social status, gender, occupation or educational (10) ____________. Bak's team evaluated the medical (11) ____________ of 648 people from India who had been diagnosed with dementia. Of these patients, 391 were bilingual or (12) ____________ and many were illiterate. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual advantage is not (13) ____________ by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also found in illiterates, who have never (14) ____________ any school." He suggested that learning a language (15) ____________ in life could keep the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable, and it (16) ____________ your brain to train permanently".

 

trilingual
later
forces
background
caused
little
attended
records

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

people who spoke two languages did not show any ______ types of dementia

 

a.  signs of three
b.  signs of these
c.  signs of thirty
d.  signs of those

2)

for more than four years longer than those ______

 

a.  who were monolinguals
b.  who were monolingual
c.  who were more no lingual
d.  who were audio-lingual

3)

Bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training, contributing ______

 

a.  to cognitive preserve
b.  to cognitive re serve
c.  to cognitive reserve
d.  to cognitive reserved

4)

This means that speaking two languages keeps the brain ______

 

a.  at better health
b.  by better health
c.  of better health
d.  in better health

5)

helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's ______ longer

 

a.  at pay for
b.  at buy for
c.  at bay for
d.  at by for

6)

the delaying of dementia had little to do ______

 

a.  with socially status
b.  with social status
c.  with social's status
d.  with so shall status

7)

the medical records of 648 people from India who had been ______

 

a.  diagnosed without dementia
b.  diagnosed within dementia
c.  diagnosed with dementia
d.  diagnosed wither dementia

8)

Of these patients, 391 were bilingual or trilingual and ______

 

a.  many were ill iterate
b.  many were ill litter rat
c.  many were ill litter rate
d.  many were illiterate

9)

bilingual advantage is not caused by any differences in education is ______

 

a.  confirmed by the facts
b.  confirmed by the fact
c.  confirmed by the factual
d.  confirmed by the factor

10)

language learning was "socially more enjoyable, and it forces your brain to ______"

 

a.  train permanence
b.  train permanently
c.  train permanent
d.  train permanents

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study shows (1) ___________________ may delay dementia by five or more years. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland discovered that people who spoke two languages did (2) ___________________ of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those (3) ___________________. A co-author of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training, contributing (4) ___________________, which can help delay dementia." This means that speaking two languages (5) ___________________ better health and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's (6) ___________________ than if someone spoke just one language.

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism (7) ___________________ of dementia had little to (8) ___________________, gender, occupation or educational background. Bak's team evaluated the medical records of 648 people from India who had been (9) ___________________. Of these patients, 391 were bilingual or trilingual and (10) ___________________. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual advantage is not caused by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also found in illiterates, who (11) ___________________ any school." He suggested that learning a language later in life could keep the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable, (12) ___________________ brain to train permanently".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Which university conducted this research?

2.

How many types of dementia did not show up in bilinguals?

3.

What did Dr Bak say bilingualism can be seen as?

4.

What can keep the brain in better health?

5.

What can speaking two languages do to Alzheimer's disease?

6.

How many things mentioned did not affect the delaying of dementia?

7.

How many medical records did Dr Bak look at?

8.

How many of Dr Bak's case studies spoke two or more languages?

9.

What had many of the illiterate people never done?

10.

What did Dr Bak say language learning forces your brain to do?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Which university conducted this research?

6.

How many things mentioned did not affect the delaying of dementia?

 

a) Eden
b) Edinburgh
c) Headingly
d) Middlesbrough

 

a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1

2.

How many types of dementia did not show up in bilinguals?

7.

How many medical records did Dr Bak look at?

 

a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3

 

a) 486
b) 684
c) 648
d) 846

3.

What did Dr Bak say bilingualism can be seen as?

8.

How many of Dr Bak's case studies spoke two or more languages?

 

a) a sign of not being English
b) luck
c) successful brain training
d) a good education policy

 

a) 391
b) 319
c) 193
d) 139

4.

What can keep the brain in better health?

9.

What had many of the illiterate people never done?

 

a) speaking two languages
b) vitamin D
c) jogging 2km a day
d) meditation

 

a) lived in a big city
b) got married
c) a medical check-up
d) attended school

5.

What can speaking two languages do to Alzheimer's disease?

10.

What did Dr Bak say language learning forces your brain to do?

 

a) change it
b) keep it at bay
c) cure it
d) confuse it

 

a) overheat
b) homework
c) train permanently
d) sleep more

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Language learning

You think language learning is best to keep the brain healthy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, exercise or a healthy diet.

Role  B – Sleep

You think sleep is best to keep the brain healthy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): language learning, exercise or a healthy diet.

Role  C – Exercise

You think exercise is best to keep the brain healthy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, language learning or a healthy diet.

Role  D – Healthy diet

You think a healthy diet is best to keep the brain healthy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, exercise or language learning.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'language' and 'learning'.

language

 

learning

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • new
  • researchers
  • signs
  • seen
  • means
  • bay
  • little
  • 648
  • 391
  • fact
  • later
  • forces

BILINGUALISM SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about bilingualism in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

BILINGUALISM DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'bilingual'?

c)

How bilingual (or trilingual / multilingual) are you?

d)

Does this research make you happy you study English?

e)

What other languages would you like to learn and why?

f)

What other things do you do to keep your brain healthy?

g)

Should languages be taught from elementary school?

h)

Will you study English harder now you know it keeps dementia at bay?

i)

What are the advantages of being bilingual?

j)

What advice would you give to monolingual people?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What is dementia and how does it affect people?

c)

Are bilingual people more intelligent?

d)

What things do you do that are unhealthy for the brain?

e)

Are there any disadvantages to being bilingual?

f)

Why do you think levels of bilingualism are generally low in the USA and UK?

g)

Will the whole world be bilingual one day?

h)

With China's rise as an economic superpower, how important is it to be trilingual?

i)

Is learning English "socially more enjoyable"?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Dr Bak?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A new study shows that being bilingual may delay dementia (1) ____ five or more years. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland discovered that people who spoke two languages did not (2) ____ any signs of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than (3) ____ who were monolingual. A co-author of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be (4) ____ as a successful brain training, contributing to cognitive reserve, (5) ____ can help delay dementia." This means that speaking two languages keeps the brain in better health and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's at (6) ____ for longer than if someone spoke just one language.

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism and the delaying of dementia had (7) ____ to do with social status, gender, occupation or educational background. Bak's team evaluated the (8) ____ records of 648 people from India who had been diagnosed with dementia. Of these patients, 391 were bilingual or trilingual and many were (9) ____. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual advantage is not caused by any differences in education is (10) ____ by the fact that it was also found in illiterates, who have never attended any school." He suggested that learning a language (11) ____ in life could keep the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable, and it (12) ____ your brain to train permanently".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

at

(b)

as

(c)

from

(d)

by

2.

(a)

revive

(b)

gauge

(c)

make

(d)

show

3.

(a)

them

(b)

those

(c)

they

(d)

these

4.

(a)

looked

(b)

watched

(c)

seen

(d)

stared

5.

(a)

which

(b)

such

(c)

this

(d)

too

6.

(a)

bay

(b)

pay

(c)

by

(d)

par

7.

(a)

dearth

(b)

scarce

(c)

few

(d)

little

8.

(a)

medical

(b)

medicine

(c)

medicinal

(d)

medics

9.

(a)

alliterate

(b)

illiterate

(c)

iterate

(d)

reiterate

10.

(a)

conformed

(b)

confounded

(c)

confirmed

(d)

confined

11.

(a)

latest

(b)

lately

(c)

later

(d)

lateness

12.

(a)

fracas

(b)

forces

(c)

faces

(d)

faux pas

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

srreehracse from the University of Edinburgh

2.

those who were niglmoaulon

3.

A oa-chturo of the report

4.

sususecclf brain training

5.

contributing to iventoicg reserve

6.

keep seesdsai like Alzheimer's at bay for longer

Paragraph 2

7.

gender, ccoptoaiun or educational background

8.

Bak's team ueatldvae the medical records

9.

many were alertlieit

10.

never andtedet any school

11.

ciloalys more enjoyable

12.

it forces your brain to train enympenaltr

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

signs of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those who were monolingual. A co-

(    )

found in illiterates, who have never attended any school." He suggested that learning a language later in life could keep

(    )

the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable, and it forces your brain to train permanently".

(    )

bay for longer than if someone spoke just one language.

(    )

records of 648 people from India who had been diagnosed with dementia. Of these patients, 391

(    )

author of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training, contributing

(    )

to cognitive reserve, which can help delay dementia." This means that speaking two languages

(    )

from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland discovered that people who spoke two languages did not show any

(    )

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism and the delaying of dementia had little to do with social

1  )

A new study shows that being bilingual may delay dementia by five or more years. Researchers

(    )

advantage is not caused by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also

(    )

were bilingual or trilingual and many were illiterate. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual

(    )

keeps the brain in better health and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's at

(    )

status, gender, occupation or educational background. Bak's team evaluated the medical

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

who   spoke   two   languages   did   not   show   .   any   signs   People

2.

were    longer    monolingual    than    those    Four    who    years.   

3.

be    a    training    can    as    brain    Bilingualism    seen    successful.   

4.

the    better    Speaking    keeps    in    languages   brain   health   two.   

5.

bay   for   longer   Helps   to    keep   diseases    like   Alzheimer's    at.   

6.

had    social    little    status    to    do    Dementia    with.   

7.

evaluated    records    people    team    medical   648    Bak's    the   of.   

8.

these    391    or    Of    ,    bilingual    patients    were    trilingual.   

9.

by   Confirmed   illiterates   in   found   also   was   it    that   fact   the.   

10.

keep    healthier    later    could    brain    Language    life    the    in.   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new study shows / showing that being bilingual may delay dementia by five or more years. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland discovered / discovery that people who spoke two languages did not show any signs for / of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those / them who were monolingual. A co-author of the report, Dr. Thomas Bak, said: "Bilingualism can be looked / seen as a successful brain training, contribution / contributing to cognitive reserve, which can help delay / relay dementia." This means that speaking / spoken two languages keeps the brain in better health and helps to keep diseases like Alzheimer's at bay / pay for longer than if someone spoke justly / just one language.

Dr Bak's research found that bilingualism and the delayed / delaying of dementia had few / little to do with social status, gander / gender, occupation or educational background. Bak's team evaluated / evaluation the medical records of 648 people from India who had been diagnosed / diagnosis with dementia. Of / For these patients, 391 were bilingual or trilingual and many were illustrative / illiterate. Dr Bak wrote: "The fact that bilingual advantage is not caused / causing by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also finding / found in illiterates, who have never attended any school." He suggested that learning a language later in life could keep the brain healthier. He said language learning was "socially more enjoyable / enjoying, and it forces your brain to train permanently".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ n_w st_dy sh_ws th_t b__ng b_l_ng__l m_y d_l_y d_m_nt__ by f_v_ _r m_r_ y__rs. R_s__rch_rs fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f _d_nb_rgh _n Sc_tl_nd d_sc_v_r_d th_t p__pl_ wh_ sp_k_ tw_ l_ng__g_s d_d n_t sh_w _ny s_gns _f thr__ typ_s _f d_m_nt__ f_r m_r_ th_n f__r y__rs l_ng_r th_n th_s_ wh_ w_r_ m_n_l_ng__l. _ c_-__th_r _f th_ r_p_rt, Dr. Th_m_s B_k, s__d: "B_l_ng__l_sm c_n b_ s__n _s _ s_cc_ssf_l br__n tr__n_ng, c_ntr_b_t_ng t_ c_gn_t_v_ r_s_rv_, wh_ch c_n h_lp d_l_y d_m_nt__." Th_s m__ns th_t sp__k_ng tw_ l_ng__g_s k__ps th_ br__n _n b_tt_r h__lth _nd h_lps t_ k__p d_s__s_s l_k_ _lzh__m_r's _t b_y f_r l_ng_r th_n _f s_m__n_ sp_k_ j_st _n_ l_ng__g_.

Dr B_k's r_s__rch f__nd th_t b_l_ng__l_sm _nd th_ d_l_y_ng _f d_m_nt__ h_d l_ttl_ t_ d_ w_th s_c__l st_t_s, g_nd_r, _cc_p_t__n _r _d_c_t__n_l b_ckgr__nd. B_k's t__m _v_l__t_d th_ m_d_c_l r_c_rds _f 648 p__pl_ fr_m _nd__ wh_ h_d b__n d__gn_s_d w_th d_m_nt__. _f th_s_ p_t__nts, 391 w_r_ b_l_ng__l _r tr_l_ng__l _nd m_ny w_r_ _ll_t_r_t_. Dr B_k wr_t_: "Th_ f_ct th_t b_l_ng__l _dv_nt_g_ _s n_t c__s_d by _ny d_ff_r_nc_s _n _d_c_t__n _s c_nf_rm_d by th_ f_ct th_t _t w_s _ls_ f__nd _n _ll_t_r_t_s, wh_ h_v_ n_v_r _tt_nd_d _ny sch__l." H_ s_gg_st_d th_t l__rn_ng _ l_ng__g_ l_t_r _n l_f_ c__ld k__p th_ br__n h__lth__r. H_ s__d l_ng__g_ l__rn_ng w_s "s_c__lly m_r_ _nj_y_bl_, _nd _t f_rc_s y__r br__n t_ tr__n p_rm_n_ntly".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new study shows that being bilingual may delay dementia by five or more years researchers from the university of edinburgh in scotland discovered that people who spoke two languages did not show any signs of three types of dementia for more than four years longer than those who were monolingual a co-author of the report dr thomas bak said "bilingualism can be seen as a successful brain training contributing to cognitive reserve which can help delay dementia" this means that speaking two languages keeps the brain in better health and helps to keep diseases like alzheimer's at bay for longer than if someone spoke just one language

dr bak's research found that bilingualism and the delaying of dementia had little to do with social status gender occupation or educational background bak's team evaluated the medical records of 648 people from india who had been diagnosed with dementia of these patients 391 were bilingual or trilingual and many were illiterate dr bak wrote "the fact that bilingual advantage is not caused by any differences in education is confirmed by the fact that it was also found in illiterates who have never attended any school" he suggested that learning a language later in life could keep the brain healthier he said language learning was "socially more enjoyable and it forces your brain to train permanently"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Anewstudyshowsthatbeingbilingualmaydelaydementiabyfiveormo
reyears.ResearchersfromtheUniversityofEdinburghinScotlanddisc
overedthatpeoplewhospoketwolanguagesdidnotshowanysignsofth
reetypesofdementiaformorethanfouryearslongerthanthosewhowe
remonolingual.Aco-authorofthereport,Dr.ThomasBak,said:"Bil
ingualismcanbeseenasasuccessfulbraintraining,contributingtocog
nitivereserve,whichcanhelpdelaydementia."Thismeansthatspeaki
ngtwolanguageskeepsthebraininbetterhealthandhelpstokeepdisea
seslikeAlzheimer'satbayforlongerthanifsomeonespokejustonelang
uage.DrBak'sresearchfoundthatbilingualismandthedelayingofdem
entiahadlittletodowithsocialstatus,gender,occupationoreducation
albackground.Bak'steamevaluatedthemedicalrecordsof648people
fromIndiawhohadbeendiagnosedwithdementia.Ofthesepatients,3
91werebilingualortrilingualandmanywereilliterate.DrBakwrote:"T
hefactthatbilingualadvantageisnotcausedbyanydifferencesineduc
ationisconfirmedbythefactthatitwasalsofoundinilliterates,whohave
neverattendedanyschool."Hesuggestedthatlearningalanguagelate
rinlifecouldkeepthebrainhealthier.Hesaidlanguagelearningwas"so
ciallymoreenjoyable,anditforcesyourbraintotrainpermanently".

FREE WRITING

Write about bilingualism for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Everyone in the world should learn English at school.   Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about bilingualism. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. DEMENTIA: Make a poster about dementia. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. BILINGUALISM: Write a magazine article about bilingualism. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a bilingualism expert. Ask him/her three questions about bilingualism. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

study

a.

report

2.

delay

b.

postpone

3.

types

c.

kinds

4.

contributing to

d.

leading to

5.

at bay

e.

away

6.

gender

f.

sex

7.

evaluated

g.

analysed

8.

advantage

h.

benefit

9.

confirmed

i.

proved / proven

10.

permanently

j.

for good

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The University of Edinburgh

2.

Three

3.

Successful brain training

4.

Speaking two languages

5.

Keep it at bay

6.

4

7.

648

8.

391

9.

Attended school

10.

Train permanently

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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