Your Brain on Bilingual: How Learning English Rewires Your Thinking

Learning English is more than just memorizing grammar and expanding your vocabulary. It changes how you think. Recent research suggests that learning English can reshape your brain, rewire your mental habits and even impact your personality. Here’s how learning English could benefit you.

Your brain isn’t a static organ. It’s consistently changing through a process known as neuroplasticity. This process allows your brain to rewire itself in response to new experiences. By learning a new language, your brain has to work harder to manage more linguistic systems, becoming stronger in the process.

A study from Andrea Mechelli et al using brain images like MRI scans shows that bilingual individuals have denser gray matter in areas that require problem solving, task switching and focus. Why? Learning English is like a high-intensity workout for your prefrontal cortex.

But that’s not all. Research has shown that people who speak two or more languages are better at filtering distractions and focusing on relevant information. This is because they’re constantly suppressing one linguistic system while choosing the other.

Language and thought are tightly linked. When you speak a new language, you don’t just say different words, you see things from an entirely different point of view.

For example, let’s look at the concept of time. English speakers describe time horizontally, the past being behind and the future being ahead. Mandarin speakers on the other hand use vertical and horizontal metaphors. Understanding both languages rewires how you organize and understand concepts such as time, space and relationships.

Another example is directness. English is a language built on clarity, action and specificity. As a result, English has fewer formalities and more emphasis on doing. This can create thoughts that are more linear, goal orientated, and solution focused. This emphasis can influence your decision making, even if you’re not speaking English at the time.

Studies show that learning a second language can significantly increase your performance in memory-based tasks.

A comprehensive meta-analysis of 27 independent studies involving 2,901 participants found a significant small to medium effect size (0.20) in favor of bilinguals having greater working memory capacity than monolinguals. These findings suggest that managing two competing languages enhances memory functionality over time.

When you learn English, you’re not just memorizing words, you’re building a more flexible, adaptable brain that can support your journey throughout university and what comes after.

Have you ever switched between languages mid-sentence or mid-thought? Then you’ve experienced a skill known as code-switching. While this might feel casual, your brain is performing a miracle: Its evaluating context, remembering vocabulary, grammar and adjusting tone... in milliseconds.

By consistently switching between languages, bilinguals can improve their ability to shift between tasks, adjust to change, and think creatively. In a world where adaptability is more important than ever, a bilingual brain is built for success.

Research shows that bilinguals are less swayed by emotional bias when thinking in their second language. While thinking in their second language, an individual can create a psychological distance that allows them to evaluate choices from a more logical perspective.

This means when you’re speaking English, you’re less likely to be impulsive. You essentially create a buffer between an action and your response. This can support you throughout all areas of life from taking exams, negotiating a contract or deciding what university to study at.

Many students report feeling like their personality changes when speaking English. Some report feeling more confident while others state their behavior is more assertive. While a change of environment will result in a change in behavior, a new language also gives you permission to act differently.

When you learn English, you’re not just opening up job opportunities or university possibilities. You’re retraining your brain for better focus, memory, flexibility and decision making.

As a bilingual student you give yourself a second lens to see the world through, a new language to express yourself with and new ways to describe your experiences.

Learning English won’t always be easy. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll get stuck thinking of a word. You’ll struggle to keep up with the speed at which locals speak. But every time you practice you get to sharpen your skills and mind.

While you might find it difficult at times, we’re here to help. We have a wide range of tools and resources to help you feel more confident in your English ability.

You can check out our tools using the link below.

TOEFL Tools

P.S. Have you recently experienced a win with your English? Let us know and tag us on Instagram @toefl_official