Older language learners, social learning spaces and community

Abstract

While much of the literature in the area of language education focuses on young people learning primarily in classroom settings, this chapter explores the topic of designing learning opportunities for older learners outside of the classroom context. Over the next two decades, the number of retired people will increase dramatically in nations around the world. Media reports constantly remind us that people are not only enjoying a longer life span than previous generations but are also staying healthier and more active. For any number of reasons, many will commence or renew foreign language study. Language educators and researchers will need to turn their attention to the matter of learning languages later in life and the challenges older learners face.