The global population is rapidly getting older. According to the World Health Organisation, one in six people will be 60 years old or over, and it is predicted that the number of people aged 80 or over will increase threefold. People are living longer, but ageing brings considerable changes to the body and mind.
After retirement, individuals lose the extrinsic motivation to keep physically and mentally active. Therefore, it is important to invest in the overall health of the senior population.
One way to do this is to learn a foreign language.
Cognitive benefits of learning a new language
There’s no denying that learning a new language has many benefits on a cognitive level, from improved memory to developed problem solving skills. Recalling and using new vocabulary and grammar rules is ideal to keep your brain active, just like exercising a muscle: the more you do it, the bigger and stronger it gets. Flashcards and memory games are great tools to train your grey matter.
Learning a language involves decoding unfamiliar sounds and building sentences using new linguistic structures. This intense mental workout sharpens problem-solving skills, making everyday tasks less daunting and more manageable. Furthermore, studies show that speaking two or more languages can delay the beginning of dementia and memory loss.
How to learn a new language
Nowadays, there are many options to learn a language depending on your preference.
Technology-based tools
Do you want to learn on the go? There are apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise that can help you learn wherever and whenever you want. If you need something more structured that makes you accountable for your learning, you can register on online platforms like Coursera. They offer a range of courses for different skills and levels that use interactive components such as video lessons, games, and quizzes to make your learning experience more engaging.
Social exchanges
Local community centres often offer language classes. In this friendly environment, you will meet like-minded people and make friends while exercising your mind. If you cannot reach these groups, you can still practise your language skills through exchange programmes online. As the name suggests, it’s an exchange: you’ll find individuals happy to help you learn; in return, you can help them learn your own language. You never know; you might surprise yourself and discover that you are good at teaching. If you enjoy it, you could have a go at teaching English online. See how much you can make with an average teaching English online salary.
Immersive techniques
If you want to take your learning to the next level, there’s no better way of improving your language skills than travelling and immersing yourself in the culture. If this isn’t possible, the next best thing is media consumption: music, books, and movies. Watching films, listening to music, and reading books in the language you want to learn is a very effective and accessible way of improving your language.
Keeping motivated
Language learning can be fun, but it can also be hard work; that’s why staying motivated isn’t always easy. Becoming familiar with different aspects of a language—vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation—can be overwhelming and frustrating, especially if the progress is slow. Sticking to constant and regular language practice can be challenging while keeping on top of your daily responsibilities. All these obstacles can make you lose focus and enthusiasm: It’s easy to give in, and giving up is tempting.
Staying motivated, however, it’s possible with a few tips:
Set SMART goals
Your goals should be specific so that you know exactly what you want to achieve; measurable, because you need to see the progress you have made; achievable, in a way that you can actually reach your objectives; relevant, because you don’t want to learn business Japanese if you want to have a chat with the waiter while you order your sushi or ramen. In this case, the ‘T’ in ‘SMART’ stands for time-bound, but this might not be so important if you are learning a language for your own enjoyment as a senior learner. Unless you want to become relatively fluent for an upcoming trip, it doesn’t really matter how long it takes you to learn a language. Remember, the purpose here is to keep your brain active.
Celebrate your progress
Learning a language is not simple, so well done you for trying and sticking to it! Whether it’s treating yourself to something nice or sharing your achievements with family and friends, rewarding yourself for reaching your goals is a small incentive that keeps you engaged.
Create a supportive environment
You might be determined and motivated now, but when things get tough, it’s nice to have someone to support and encourage you. It’s also useful to join a study group or find a learning buddy to hold yourself accountable and make the learning process more enjoyable.
Overcoming challenges
No matter how old you are, there can always be some challenges in language learning.
Technology barriers
You might feel intimidated by technology, but language learning apps are extremely user-friendly and some devices are specifically designed to help those with little IT skills.
Time management
Adding a time-consuming activity such as learning a language to your daily schedule can be tricky. Choose a time of the day that suits you, such as during breakfast or after dinner, so that practising the new language becomes part of your routine.
Frustrations and setbacks
Setbacks and errors are part and parcel of language learning, but it’s only natural to feel frustrated occasionally. Don’t let frustration overwhelm you, and don’t fear making mistakes: none other than Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Learning a language to keep mentally active
Learning something new, like a language, has many advantages: it improves your memory and problem-solving skills while delaying cognitive decline. Nowadays, there are engaging and interactive ways to learn a language either online or in a face-to-face setting. Give language learning a try; you might start to train your brain but you might stick to it because it’s fun!