Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Foreign Language Learning in Older Adults: Benefits, Challenges, and Suggestions for Teaching

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Education for the Elderly in the Asia Pacific

Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 59))

Abstract

When it comes to foreign language learning, researchers tend to pay more attention to children and adolescents than older adults despite the fact that the proportion of older adults worldwide has increased significantly. Even though there is a growing number of studies reporting several benefits of foreign language learning particularly in improving cognitive abilities of older adults (Antoniou et al., Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 37:2689–2698;2013; Antoniou & Wright. Frontiers in Psychology 8:2217;2017, Bak. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 6:205–226;2016; Wong et al., Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 62:2411–2424;2019), older adults have still been neglected as a cohort by researchers in this field. This may be because very few older adults who are over 60 years of age take part in foreign language learning whether in the contexts of formal, informal, or non-formal education. In addition, teaching older adults a foreign language can be very challenging because instructors have to dispel some misconceptions about older adults’ learning abilities and deal with self-defeating attitudes commonly adopted by older learners (Ramírez Gómez. Educational Gerontology 42:136–143;2016). In this chapter, I discuss the benefits and challenges of learning a foreign language in late adulthood and provide some suggestions for instructors to create an educative and collaborative learning environment appropriate for foreign language learning in older adults. In addition, I have included some suggestions on how to integrate technology into foreign language teaching as they could provide a safe learning environment for the elderly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ally, M. (2004). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. Theory and Practice of Online Learning, 2, 15–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2019). World Alzheimer report 2019: Attitudes to dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amer, T., Kalender, B., Hasher, L., Trehub, S. E., & Wong, Y. (2013). Do older professional musicians have cognitive advantages? PLoS One, 8(8), e71630.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, P. (2012). The social construction of age: Adult foreign language learners. Multilingual Matters.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Antoniou, M., Gunasekera, G. M., & Wong, P. C. (2013). Foreign language training as cognitive therapy for age-related cognitive decline: A hypothesis for future research. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(10), 2689–2698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antoniou, M., & Wright, S. M. (2017). Uncovering the mechanisms responsible for why language learning may promote healthy cognitive aging. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2217. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bak, T. H., Nissan, J. J., Allerhand, M. M., & Deary, I. J. (2014). Does bilingualism influence cognitive aging? Annals of Neurology, 75(6), 959–963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bak, T. H. (2016). The impact of bilingualism on cognitive ageing and dementia: Finding a path through a forest of confounding variables. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, 6(1–2), 205–226. https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.15002.bak

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banditvilai, C. (2016). Enhancing students’ language skills through blended learning. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 14(3), 220–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bataineh, R. F., & Mayyas, M. B. (2017). The utility of blended learning in EFL reading and grammar: A case for Moodle. Teaching English with Technology, 17(3), 35–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I., & Freedman, M. (2007). Bilingualism as a protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia. Neuropsychologia, 45(2), 459–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2006.10.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I., & Luk, G. (2012). Bilingualism: Consequences for mind and brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(4), 240–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockett, R. G., & Hiemstra, R. (1991). Self-direction in adult learning: Perspectives on theory, research, and practice. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Candy, P. C. (1991). Self-direction for lifelong learning: A comprehensive guide to theory and practice. Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Your health: Older adults. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

  • Chertkow, H., Whitehead, V., Phillips, N., Wolfson, C., Atherton, J., & Bergman, H. (2010). Multilingualism (but not always bilingualism) delays the onset of Alzheimer disease: Evidence from a bilingual community. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 24(2), 118–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Czaja, S. J., & Lee, C. C. (2007). The impact of aging on access to technology. Universal Access in the Information Society, 5(4), 341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlke, D., Lindeman, D., & Ory, M. G. (2019, July 26). No longer just for the young: 70% of seniors are now online. World Economic Forum website. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/07/no-longer-just-for-the-young-70-of-seniors-are-now-online/

  • De Bot, K., & Makoni, S. (2005). Language and aging in multilingual contexts. Multilingual Matters.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself: Stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science. Viking.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2010). Researching motivation: From integrativeness to the ideal L2 self. Introducing applied linguistics: Concepts and skills, 3(5), 74–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, R., Beaudry, J. S., & Klavas, A. (2002). Survey of research on learning styles. California Journal of Science Education, 2(2), 75–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evangelou, M. (2016). Early childhood education in English for speakers of other languages. British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. R. (1997). Self-direction learning: Toward a comprehensive model. Adult Education Quarterly, 48(1), 18–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guglielman, E. (2012). The ageing brain: Neuroplasticity and lifelong learning. eLearning Papers, 29, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, M. (2011). Factors affecting the self-directed learning of students at clinical practice course for advanced practice nurse. Asian Nursing Research, 5(1), 48–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kliesch, M., Giroud, N., Pfenninger, S. E., & Meyer, M. (2018). Research on second language acquisition in old adulthood: What we have and what we need. In Third age learners of foreign languages (pp. 48–76). Multilingual Matters.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, M. S. (1975). Self-directed learning: A guide for teachers and learners. Follett.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, M. S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education. Association Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levett-Jones, T., & Lathlean, J. (2008). Belongingness: A prerequisite for nursing students’ clinical learning. Nurse Education in Practice, 8(2), 103–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lourida I., Hannon, E., Littlejohns, T. J., Langa, K. M., Hyppönen, E., Kuźma, E., & Llewellyn, D. J. (2019). Association of lifestyle and genetic risk with incidence of dementia. JAMA, 322(5), 430–437. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6628594/.

  • Luk, G., Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I., & Grady, C. L. (2011). Lifelong bilingualism maintains white matter integrity in older adults. Journal of Neuroscience, 31(46), 16808–16813. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4563-11.2011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marquié, J. C., Jourdan-Boddaert, L., & Huet, N. (2002). Do older adults underestimate their actual computer knowledge? Behaviour & Information Technology, 21(4), 273–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mårtensson, J., Eriksson, J., Bodammer, N. C., Lindgren, M., Johansson, M., Nyberg, L., & Lövdén, M. (2012). Growth of language-related brain areas after foreign language learning. NeuroImage, 63(1), 240–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merzenich, M. (2005). Change minds for the better. The Journal on Active, November-December 22-30. Retrieved from https://sites.oxy.edu/clint/physio/article/Changemindsforthebetteragingcognition.pdf.

  • Office for National Statistics. (2019). Internet Users, UK. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/itandinternetindustry/bulletins/internetusers/2019.

  • Pascual-Leone, A., Amedi, A., Fregni, F., & Merabet, L. B. (2005). The plastic human brain cortex. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 28, 377–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perani, D., & Abutalebi, J. (2015). Bilingualism, dementia, cognitive and neural reserve. Current Opinion in Neurology, 28(6), 618–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfenninger, S. E., & Polz, S. (2018). Foreign language learning in the third age: A pilot feasibility study on cognitive, socio-affective and linguistic drivers and benefits in relation to previous bilingualism of the learner. Journal of the European Second Language Association, 2(1), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pliatsikas, C., Veríssimo, J., Babcock, L., Pullman, M. Y., Glei, D. A., Weinstein, M., … Ullman, M. T. (2019). Working memory in older adults declines with age, but is modulated by sex and education. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 72(6), 1308–1327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pot, A., Porkert, J., & Keijzer, M. (2019). The bidirectional in bilingual: Cognitive, social and linguistic effects of and on third-age language learning. Behavioral Sciences, 9(9), 98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez Gómez, D. (2014). Older-adult foreign language learning: Instructors’ beliefs and some recommendations. In N. Sonda & A. Krause (Eds.), JALT2013 conference proceedings (pp. 229–239). JALT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez Gómez, D. R. (2016). Critical geragogy and foreign language learning: An exploratory application. Educational Gerontology, 42(2), 136–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Fornells, A., Cunillera, T., Mestres-Missé, A., & de Diego-Balaguer, R. (2009). Neurophysiological mechanisms involved in language learning in adults. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 364(1536), 3711–3735. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2009.0130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singleton, D. M., & Ryan, L. (2004). Language acquisition: The age factor (Vol. 9). Multilingual Matters.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Swain, M., Lapkin, S., & Deters, P. (2013). Exploring the effect of languageing activities on cognitive functioning: The case of an older adult in a long-term care facility. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 37(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2020). World population ageing 2019 (ST/ESA/SER.A/444).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, N., Hassanein, K., & Head, M. (2010). Computer use by older adults: A multi-disciplinary review. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 870–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, C. Y., & Schlaug, G. (2010). Music making as a tool for promoting brain plasticity across the life span. The Neuroscientist, 16(5), 566–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, D. W., & Hill, T. J. (2009). Prescription for trouble: Medicare Part D and patterns of computer and internet access among the elderly. Journal of Ageing and Social Policy, 21(2), 172–186. cited in Gell, N. M., Rosenberg, D. E., Demiris, G., LaCroix, A. Z., & Patel, K. V. (2015). Patterns of technology use among older adults with and without disabilities. The Gerontologist, 55(3), 412–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P. C., Ou, J., Pang, C. W., Zhang, L., Tse, C. S., Lam, L. C., & Antoniou, M. (2019). Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults: A preliminary study. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62(7), 2411–2424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). Dementia. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Suan Dusit University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Nutthaporn Owatnupat

Authors
  1. Nutthaporn Owatnupat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Pennee Narot

  2. College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Narong Kiettikunwong

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Owatnupat, N. (2021). Foreign Language Learning in Older Adults: Benefits, Challenges, and Suggestions for Teaching. In: Narot, P., Kiettikunwong, N. (eds) Education for the Elderly in the Asia Pacific. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 59. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3326-3_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3326-3_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-3325-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-3326-3

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation