Language learning never gets old: learning a new language in later life

Is learning a new language when you’re older possible? And if it is, are there health benefits? Late-life language learning (LLLL) has become a hot topic over the last few years. It all started with studies finding cognitive benefits for life-long multilinguals, such as symptoms of Alzheimer’s manifesting up to 5 years later. Researchers then hypothesised that older monolinguals could maybe benefit from similar cognitive advantages by learning a new language later in life. To study this, we set up an online three-month English course for Dutch seniors. We wanted to know if it was possible to learn a new language later in life, what kind of teaching worked best, and if there were additional benefits to language learning. We found older adults to show agency over their language learning process. And to show big individual differences. These are most probably the result of all accumulated life experiences and, together with the language learning agency, make the older language learner unique. It is, however, very much possible for older adults to learn new languages and it is even considered to be a fun activity. Additionally, there are other benefits to LLLL such as cognitive benefits and increased well-being and language attitudes. As most of our results did not show big differences between the two types of language instruction, any form of language learning that is enjoyable for older adults is recommended.