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S079 | Language learning never gets old: linguistic, social and cognitive effects of third age language learning

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Session Information

The world is aging and the pace of population aging is unprecedented. By 2020, people aged 60 or up will outnumber children younger than 5 years old (WHO, 2019). This changed demographic poses challenges for social and health systems and aging research is put high on the agenda. A significant contribution can come from applied linguistics; from old-age wellbeing studies we know that purposeful activities in older adulthood help prevent age-associated depression (Sarsak, 2018). Third-age foreign language learning can fulfill an important purpose in this respect but can have a cognitive benefit as well: lifelong bilingualism has been found to build cognitive reserve and boost cognitive flexibility in seniors (cf. Alladi et al., 2013) and there is evidence that short foreign language learning experiences in seniors could have similar effects (Pot, Keijzer, & de Bot, 2018). At the same time, we currently do not yet know what the best foreign language teaching method or intensity is for seniors (cf. Pfenninger & Singleton, 2019). This symposium tackles the following subthemes 1) a systematic review of social and cognitive outcomes of third-age language learning studies until now; 2) effective third-age language teaching methods; 3) cognitive reserve to ensue from third-age language learning.

Virtual Session Symposium
August 19, 2021 02:30 PM - August 19, 2022 06:00 PM(Europe/Amsterdam)
Venue : Room 1
20210819T1430 20210819T1800 Europe/Amsterdam S079 | Language learning never gets old: linguistic, social and cognitive effects of third age language learning

The world is aging and the pace of population aging is unprecedented. By 2020, people aged 60 or up will outnumber children younger than 5 years old (WHO, 2019). This changed demographic poses challenges for social and health systems and aging research is put high on the agenda. A significant contribution can come from applied linguistics; from old-age wellbeing studies we know that purposeful activities in older adulthood help prevent age-associated depression (Sarsak, 2018). Third-age foreign language learning can fulfill an important purpose in this respect but can have a cognitive benefit as well: lifelong bilingualism has been found to build cognitive reserve and boost cognitive flexibility in seniors (cf. Alladi et al., 2013) and there is evidence that short foreign language learning experiences in seniors could have similar effects (Pot, Keijzer, & de Bot, 2018). At the same time, we currently do not yet know what the best foreign language teaching method or intensity is for seniors (cf. Pfenninger & Singleton, 2019). This symposium tackles the following subthemes 1) a systematic review of social and cognitive outcomes of third-age language learning studies until now; 2) effective third-age language teaching methods; 3) cognitive reserve to ensue from third-age language learning.

 Room 1 AILA 2021 aila2021@gcb.nl
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Sub Sessions

View Abstract

Adaptive control and language regulation in older bilinguals: Merging the evidence from training studies and dementia

FeaturedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
Two separate lines of research have considered how bilingualism might protect older adults against cognitive and neural decline and what consequences are observed when older adults learn a new language. Here we bring these together to ask how cognitive control and language regulation processes function in each domain.
Presenters
JK
 Judith Kroll
Professor, University Of California, Irvine
View Abstract

Learning to preserve: foreign language training as a cognitive ‘vaccine’ to prevent old-age disorders?

StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
Bilingualism is suggested to boost cognitive flexibility, an effect that may extend to foreign language learning. In this paper we present the method and preliminary results of our study aimed to evaluate the unique effect of foreign language learning in elderly at risk for old-age disorders.
Presenters Saskia Nijmeijer
AILA2021 Volunteer, University Medical Center Groningen Co-authors Merel Keijzer
AILA Organizational Committee Member And Symposium Organizer, University Of Groningen
MV
 Marie-José Van Tol
University Medical Center Groningen
AA
 Andre Aleman
University Medical Center Groningen
View Abstract

The early markers of foreign language learning in older adulthood

StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
Our pilot study examined the linguistic, cognitive, and mental effects of brief but intensive foreign language learning on Dutch healthy seniors by uniquely combining behavioral and neural testing. Results showed that healthy older adults can quickly achieve vocabulary learning through an online foreign language course involving the target language only.
Presenters Floor Van Den Berg
AILA2021 Volunteer, University Of Groningen Co-authors Eleonora Rossi
University Of Florida Merel Keijzer
AILA Organizational Committee Member And Symposium Organizer, University Of Groningen
JK
 Judith Kroll
Professor, University Of California, Irvine
View Abstract

Later language learning: The listening dimension

StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
Listening involves competition between candidate words activated by incoming speech signals. Using eye-tracking, we compare activation and competition patterns in listeners varying in age and bilingualism. Results speak against claims that competition is necessarily exacerbated for older listeners (which, if true, could inhibit beneficial outcomes of later language learning).
Presenters Laurence Bruggeman
Western Sydney University Co-authors
AC
 Anne Cutler
Western Sydney University
View Abstract

The cognition-affect interface in third age additional language learning: A longitudinal study with dense time serial measurements

FeaturedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
This longitudinal intervention study analyzes (1) when and why L2 English and L2 Spanish development in the third age is statistically significantly increasing (or decreasing), and (2) whether our set of predictors (age, cognitive fitness, bilingualism, socio-affect, EEG) has a significant effect on the 140 trajectories under investigation.
Presenters Simone Pfenninger
University Of Salzburg
View Abstract

The social and cognitive aspects of mixed-age language learning groups

StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
It is not yet clear whether third-age language learning is more effective and enjoyable in mixed-age or homogenous classes. Our results suggest that mixed-age classes are well tolerated by both students and teachers, although they do pose higher demands on teacher flexibility in teaching approaches and style.
Presenters Brittany Blankinship
PhD Researcher, University Of Edinburgh Co-authors
MV
 Mariana Vega-Mendoza
DD
 Deirdre Dunlevy
Research Fellow, University Of Edinburgh
TB
 Thomas Bak
View Abstract

Learning a language in the third-age: a new methodology that includes learning needs, proficiency, well-being and cognition.

StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
In this symposium contribution, we present the first third-age language learning needs analysis. Ascertaining seniors' language learning needs is of vital importance as language learning needs of seniors are not only unaddressed in research but also in teaching pedagogy.
Presenters Mara Van Der Ploeg
University Of Groningen Co-authors Wander Lowie
University Of Groningen Merel Keijzer
AILA Organizational Committee Member And Symposium Organizer, University Of Groningen
View Abstract

The Bidirectional in Bilingual: Cognitive, Social and Linguistic Effects of and on Third-Age Language Learning

Standard 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
In this paper, we aim to shed light on the bidirectional and individual cognitive, social and linguistic factors in relation to bilingualism and second language learning, with a special focus on older adulthood. a meta-study of third-age language learning studies is presented and future research avenues are proposed.
Presenters Merel Keijzer
AILA Organizational Committee Member And Symposium Organizer, University Of Groningen
View Abstract

Foreign language learning to promote cognitive flexibility in mild cognitive impairment and late life depression.

FocusedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/19 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/19 16:00:00 UTC
The current project investigates the potential of foreign language learning as a cognitive therapy aimed at seniors diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or late life depression. Functionally monolingual participants follow a language course, to enhance cognitive flexibility. Gains in cognitive flexibility are assessed using eye-tracking paradigms, and behavioral methods.
Presenters Jelle Brouwer
AILA2021 Volunteer, University Of Groningen Co-authors Floor Van Den Berg
AILA2021 Volunteer, University Of Groningen Merel Keijzer
AILA Organizational Committee Member And Symposium Organizer, University Of Groningen
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Session Participants

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Session speakers, moderators & attendees
Prof. Judith Kroll
Professor
,
University of California, Irvine
Saskia Nijmeijer
AILA2021 volunteer
,
University Medical Center Groningen
Ms. Floor Van Den Berg
AILA2021 Volunteer
,
University of Groningen
Laurence Bruggeman
Western Sydney University
Simone Pfenninger
University of Salzburg
+ 4 more speakers. View All
Prof. Merel Keijzer
Prof. Merel Keijzer
AILA organizational committee member and symposium organizer
,
University of Groningen
Dr. Eleonora Rossi
Dr. Eleonora Rossi
University of Florida
Michelle Mattuzzi
Michelle Mattuzzi
AILA2021 volunteer
Anna Pot
Anna Pot
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Slides

AILA__BruggemanCutler_AILA
Later language learning: The listenin...
 0 Submitted by Laurence Bruggeman
AILA__AILA_S_FvdB_final
The early markers of foreign language...
 0 Submitted by Floor Van Den Berg
AILA__MaravanderPloeg
Learning a language in the third-age:...
 0 Submitted by Mara Van Der Ploeg
AILA__AILA
Learning to preserve: foreign languag...
 0 Submitted by Saskia Nijmeijer
AILA_1629362442Learningtopreserve_AILA2021_final.pdf
Learning to preserve: foreign languag...
 0 Submitted by Saskia Nijmeijer
AILA_1629354305028_Minimalist_Green_Slides_by_Slidesgo.pptx
The Bidirectional in Bilingual: Cogni...
 0 Submitted by Merel Keijzer
AILA__Merel_AILA_gecomprimeerd
The Bidirectional in Bilingual: Cogni...
 0 Submitted by Merel Keijzer

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