Current Research on the Impact of Foreign Language Learning Among Healthy Seniors on Their Cognitive Functions From a Positive Psychology Perspective—A Systematic Review

Klímová, Blanka; Pikhart, Marcel

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00765

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Furthermore, the participants in the experimental group benefited from the very positive social ties within their group [ 34 , 35 ], gaining self-confidence and motivation to continue studying English at the University of the Third Age. As Klimova and Pikhart [ 10 ] believe, it is especially social and psychological well-being through which the cognitive benefits of foreign language learning might be observed as foreign language learning represents for seniors a new purpose of their life. This has also been evidenced by recent findings on the theory of positive psychology and foreign language learning by older adults [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So far, studies on the effects of foreign language learning on improving cognitive reserve and health in old age have been few and far apart [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Overall, the findings of these studies indicate that foreign language learning may enhance cognitive performance among healthy older individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhancing Cognitive Performance of Healthy Czech Seniors through Non-Native Language Learning—A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

et al. 2020

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The aim of this article is to discuss the effect of learning a non-native language on the enhancement of cognitive performance in healthy native Czech elderly. In addition, special emphasis is put on the qualitative assessment. To do this, 42 Czech cognitively unimpaired seniors were enrolled into the study. These were then divided into an experimental group (i.e., 20 healthy elderly studied English as a non-native language for three months) and a passive control group (22 healthy elderly, who did not undergo any non-native language intervention). The main outcome measures included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, statistical processing of the data, and a qualitative content analysis. The results indicate that the cognitive performance of the intervention group did not differ from the control group. Therefore, no cognitive enhancement through non-native language learning was achieved. However, the findings of the qualitative analysis show that such non-native language learning with the peers of the same age is especially beneficial for the overall well-being of healthy seniors, especially as far as their social networks are concerned. Furthermore, participant’s subjective feelings from their self-reports indicate that foreign language learning also contributes to acquiring new English words and phrases. However, as there are very few empirical studies on this research topic, further research is needed in order to confirm or refute the present research findings on the enhancement of cognitive performance through non-native language learning in healthy seniors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Cognitive Performance of Healthy Czech Seniors through Non-Native Language Learning—A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

et al. 2020

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“…However, as Formosa (2019) states, maintaining cognitive skills and expanding social contacts are the most common reasons for attending such a course. Klimova and Pikhart (2020) report that it is especially through social and psychological wellbeing that the cognitive benefits of FLL might be observed, since FLL can be for seniors another new purpose of their life. Nevertheless, research also shows that although older adults seem to be highly motivated in conducting meaningful tasks, high motivation is not sufficient for their better performance ( Ceccato et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Computer-based Foreign Language Training For Healthy Individmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are There Any Cognitive Benefits of Computer-Based Foreign Language Training for Healthy Elderly People? – A Mini-Review

Klímová

2021

Front. Psychol.

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The purpose of this mini-review is to investigate if there are any cognitive benefits of computer-based foreign language training for healthy older individuals aged 55+ years. The author conducted a literature search of peer-reviewed English written research articles found in Pub Med, Web of Science and Scopus. The findings of this mini-review reveal that the research on the cognitive benefits of computer-based foreign language training for healthy older individuals is small-scale. The limited research findings of only three relevant studies indicate that these computer-based foreign language training programs may bring cognitive benefits for healthy elderly people, especially as far as the enhancement of their cognitive functions such as working memory are concerned. In addition, the authors of these studies suggest that foreign language learning is a useful activity for healthy older adults since it has the benefits of being meaningful (an advantage over other cognitive training approaches) and provides the chance for acquiring important skills that can benefit other aspects of life, such as travel or communication. In conclusion, the author of this mini-review also provides several implications for practice and future research.

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“…Furthermore, it has been evidenced that their cognition and emotions are inseparable phenomena (Swain, 2013 ). Research (Klímová and Pikhart, 2020 ) also shows that both cognitive and non-cognitive functions in FLL significantly differ across generations. Although it is known that adults can master a foreign language even in later age, it was proved that cognitive functions decline with an advancing age (Murman, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…At present, there is not much research comparing foreign results in well-being outcomes of foreign language learning (FLL) among healthy older adults. The recent review paper of Klímová and Pikhart ( 2020 ), however, revealed that FLL might have a positive impact on the maintenance and/or enhancement of cognitive abilities irrespective of age. In particular, FLL courses seem to offer new opportunities to healthy seniors for socialization and integration into society, which may positively affect their overall well-being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Psycholinguistic Study on the Subjective Feelings of Well-Being Outcomes of Foreign Language Learning in Older Adults From the Czech Republic and Poland

et al. 2021

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Positive psychology has recently seen unprecedented rise and has reached vast achievements in the area of quality of life (QoL) improvement. The purpose of this study is to show that there are different aspects of well-being that make healthy older people motivated to learn a foreign language at a later age. The research was conducted in the Czech Republic and Poland in two groups of learners aged 55 years and more. The experimental group consisted of 105 Czech respondents who were targeted with an online questionnaire with the aim to determine the level of FLL outcomes connected to QoL in healthy older adults in their L2 acquisition. The second experimental group (n = 100) was established of Polish seniors who attended similar language courses. The findings of the research clearly show that FLL has an irreplaceable role as one of several non-pharmacological strategies utilized to improve the aging process and reduce drawbacks of aging. The results indicate that seniors' overall satisfaction and subjective feelings of well-being are enormously high when attending foreign language classes at older age. FLL, therefore, creates an environment that can enhance QoL of older adults that can be supplemented by other means such as well-balanced diet, other social activities, sport and physical activity, music, or computer games. All these intervention methods can significantly improve QoL of older adults and the parties engaged and/or responsible for taking care of older generation should take it into serious consideration.

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Current Research on the Impact of Foreign Language Learning Among Healthy Seniors on Their Cognitive Functions From a Positive Psychology Perspective—A Systematic Review

Cited by 28 publications

References 44 publications

Enhancing Cognitive Performance of Healthy Czech Seniors through Non-Native Language Learning—A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Enhancing Cognitive Performance of Healthy Czech Seniors through Non-Native Language Learning—A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Are There Any Cognitive Benefits of Computer-Based Foreign Language Training for Healthy Elderly People? – A Mini-Review

A Comparative Psycholinguistic Study on the Subjective Feelings of Well-Being Outcomes of Foreign Language Learning in Older Adults From the Czech Republic and Poland

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