Reasons to learn a new language

I have been learning Russian for about a year.  There were times when I felt like giving up, but   something would come along to cheer me up and I redoubled my efforts.  But why do this at 70?  When I had already started learning I heard a programme about dementia and apparently learning a new language, it is claimed helps to put off the onset of dementia.  So there, indeed, is a good reason. It is one thing to learn to read and write a foreign language but speaking it and understanding it when spoken is another thing.  So how do I help myself with these things.  One thing I do is to listen to Russian on my phone.  Even when it is in the background I believe my brain is receiving it.  Just as a baby learns to speak from being surrounded by the spoken word in the home so if I listen eventually it will have a good effect.  I have the Bible recorded in Russian.  I was brought up on the Bible and know quite lot of the Bible and so I can pick out a story in Russian quite well.  But why did I want to learn in the first place?  After reading about Peter the Great I felt I wanted to know more about the "ordinary" people of Russia, like the serfs who built St Petersburg, many dying in the attempt.  To get to grips with who a people are you need to learn the language.  There you find out how they tick, their loves and sorrows, their fears and hopes. Another tip, try to read a passage of the chosen language out loud every day.  I realise I am not doing that just now so I am glad I have reminded myself. Also on the internet it is possible to find Russian T.V. There again you can find Russian on Youtube with subtitles from President Putin's interviews to all sorts of films.  This has been such an adventure learning but I do believe you need a teacher with whom you can work face to face.  The corrections and help mine gives me are invaluable. So maybe it's time for you to take up a new language.