Aging, Language Learning, and Technology
Have you ever wanted to learn a language but thought you were too old? You are not alone. You are also mistaken!
I have three areas of interest: language learning, psychology and aging. Many bold baby-boomers, ready to retire and relocate, are embracing new languages. Moreover, due to later retirement ages, many companies are now seeking to train their older, experienced employees in the top business languages. According to Bloomberg, the most useful languages are: English, Chinese, French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Italian, Korean and Turkish (Kim & Re:locate 2011).
The challenge I find in teaching older adults is that they often hold self-handicapping concepts like, “My memory is too poor to learn a new language.” However, this is completely untrue. I am in my 50’s and have just started studying my seventh language.
In fact, studies have shown that tasks like language learning trigger brain growth. It improves the brain’s plasticity and memory, and even wards off cognitive deterioration. For example, senior bilinguals and multilinguals are far better than monolinguals at prioritizing and multi-tasking. Mental stimulation improves the brain’s ability to process information and enhances language-learning abilities (Floel et al, 2009).
Neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley has developed a video game called NeuroRacer. It features a 3D environment that targets multitasking skills. Gazzely’s studies showed that it improved brain activity: In a pre-test, 60-85 year-old participants’ brain activity was monitored by EEG. They were also given a battery of cognitive tests to measure memory and attention. Then they were given NeuroRacer to play 3 times a week for one month at home. In post-tests, all participants showed a significant increase in brain functioning. In particular, rapid-firing neurons indicated by midline frontal theta, demonstrated improvement in memory and attention. Moreover, high-functioning brain activity continued in post-tests conducted 6 months later (Servick, 2013).
For more information on Gazzaley's fascinating study, or if you would be interested in participating in it (all ages, 20 or over, welcomed), please go to http://gazzaleylab.ucsf.edu/page74.html
A new, valuable yet free language learning website which is senior-friendly is Memrise. It has a great easy-to-use design. It features exercises that enhance the memory through mnemonics while learning a language. Memrise offers over 200 languages: the largest number of languages on any such website. However, its current drawback is its emphasis on vocabulary, but it is a work-in-progress and developers are creating more grammar and other skill-based activities. You can find Memrise here: http://www.memrise.com/
Duolingo is another recently developed, free and user-friendly language learning site. It features language-building exercises from vocabulary to sentences. One disadvantage is that it only offers 4 languages: English, Spanish, German and French, but they may add more in the future. You can try it out here: http://www.duolingo.com/
Instreamia offers “the future of language learning”. It is a much more is a more diversified website than the other two. It offers options of videos, music and articles. It provides practice of all 4 skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. However, its diversity may also pose a hurdle for older learners: Navigating the site is rather complicated, so there is a sharp learning curve. Instremia currently offers English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Italian. You can have a look at it here: http://about.instreamia.com/
If you are as interested as I am in emerging brain-enhancing, language-learning technologies, do stay posted!
References
Floel, A. et al (2009). Non-invasive brain stimulation improves language learning. Retrieved from http://www.his.se/PageFiles/31464/Flöel%20et%20al.pdf
Kim, S. (2011). Top three useful foreign languages for business exclude Spanish. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/09/top-3-useful-foreign-languages-for-business-excludes-spanish/
Re:locate (2011, October 4). Bloomberg names most useful languages for conducting business around the world. Retrieved from http://www.relocatemagazine.com/language-training/language-news-main/2949-bloomberg-names-most-useful-languages-for-conducting-business-around-the-world
Servick, K (2013, September 4). A racing game to rejuvenate the brain? Retreived from http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2013/09/racing-game-rejuvenate-brain
I found Memrise to be very appealing especially when I realized that the community is creating the content. Perhaps in the future I will try out the Spanish menu learning module. I thought the introduction (so you don't starve while traveling...) made perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteOne question - many older learners are concerned about correctly pronouncing words in another language -- how can you help them get past this hurdle.
Learners of all ages are concerned about pronunciation when practicing a second language, but older learners in particular may be faced with hearing and memory challenges. Two keys to getting the pronunciation correct are (1) hearing the word pronounced multiple times and repeating it yourself each time, and (2) increasing the volume for listening clarity.
DeleteOn the Memrise site, there is a speaker symbol on the upper right side of the vocabulary word page. Each time you click on that, you will hear the word repeated. The narrators are native speakers, so you can be sure the pronunciation is correct. Next, you can increase the volume by clicking on the speaker button on your computer.
I find the correlation between learning multiple languages and multi-tasking to be an interesting one. Are you aware of any works that compare the multi-lingual/multi-tasking abilities of a young adult to that of an older adult? I understand your point that older learners have the capacity to become multi-lingual, and thereby more able to multi-task, but does that capacity diminish with age?
ReplyDeleteLanguage learners of all ages (even of one second language) have enhanced multi-tasking skills. "The cognitive and neurological benefits of bilingualism extend from early childhood to old age as the brain more efficiently processes information and staves off cognitive decline" (Marian & Shook, 2012).
DeleteLanguage learning requires the mind to multi-task by using association (word-image) and intention (non-verbal cues) to build language, so the brain becomes adept at doing multiple functions. Memory, planning, and such skills as conflict management also improve. In fact, studies have shown language learning changes the brain's structure and increases the volume of gray matter at any age! The gains do not diminish with age unless the activity completely stops. Even then the decline does not begin until after 6 months of activity cessation (Gazzaley, 2011).
We might also include other ways of communicating as languages, such Morse Code and sign language.
Gazzaley, A.(2011). Neuroracer. Retrieved from http://gazzaleylab.ucsf.edu/page74.html
Marian, V & Shook, A.(2012).The cognitive benefits of being bilingual. Retrieved from http://dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=39638