The Older Learners

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INTRODUCTION THE OLDER LANGUAGE LEARNERS This is a summary on the article “the older language Learners” by Scheleppergrell, Mary from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Language and Linguistic Washingtong DC. The article starts with the question: “Can older adults successfully learn foreign languages?” AGING AND LEARNING A recent research has provided new knowledge on this topic it shows that although younger learners may achieve native-like fluency in the long run, “adults actually learn languages more quickly than children in the early stages (Ostwald and Williams, 1981).” Adults can faster attain a working ability to communicate. Learning ability does not decline with age if an adult remains healthy they should have no intellectual difficulties. It is important to highlight that there are differences in the learning styles between younger and older learners. OLDER LEARNING STEREOTYPES The stereo type of older adults as poor language learners might be founded on a 1960´s theory of brain development which had a hypothesis which argued that the brain lost “cerebral plasticity” after puberty thus making second language learning more challenging for older learners. More recent research in neurology has demonstrated that older learners have an advantage in second language learning since neural cells develop with age. (Walsh and Diller,1978). “Neuronal stem cells exist in the hippocampus - a region of the brain that plays a central role in learning and memory functions - that can produce new nerve cells throughout life.” AGE RELATED FACTORS IN LANGUAGE LEARNING Good health plays an important factor for older learners, visibility and hearing are important when learning a new language therefore it is crucial that teacher combine audio input with visuals providing adequate resources for this group. CLASSROOM PRACTICE There are some classroom practices that

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