Unit 2: Senior Learners and the Concept of Wellbeing
Advantages of Learning in Older Age
3.2 The Benefits of Learning a Language in Older Age
The article you studied in the previous activity highlights the immense potential of learning in older age. But out of all the things people could learn, why should you learn a language in older age?
Recent research has highlighted unexpected benefits of learning languages in older age. Dr Thomas Bak, a cognitive neuroscientist from the University of Edinburgh, points out some of these benefits.
Listen to an interview on Radio Scotland, Brainwaves: Dr Thomas Bak on Radio Scotland where he presents some findings of his research on bilingualism and brain health and answer the following questions:
- How do our assumptions about monolingualism and bilingualism affect the way we view language learning?
- Why is language learning beneficial, particularly in older age?
- What impact can language learning have on neurodegenerative diseases such a dementia?
Compare your thoughts with those in the model answer provided.