Language Learning in the Third Age

This paper discusses the importance of foreign language learning as a means of maintaining healthy cognitive, psychological and social functioning in elderly people. It argues that a complex cognitive activity involving multiple skills and stimulating extensive neural networks can greatly contribute to contrast the inception of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Because of age-related physical and mental limitations, and because old learners find it hard to abandon tried-and-tested methodologies and attitudes, it is, however, crucial that teachers and educators try to meet the older adult’s needs by customising teaching procedures and learning environment to their requirements and expectations. Rather than introducing a great amount of new information and learning techniques, it may be much more fruitful to encourage the older adult to retrieve and rely on previously acquired knowledge and consolidated learning strategies. The adoption of computer-assisted language learning, however, may be helpful and motivating for older learners, provided technological demands are kept to a minimum.