Educational Needs of Senior Learners in Learning Foreign Languages

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the general issues of ageing, learning and focusing on foreign language education for the elderly. Firstly, it examines demographic changes and their consequences. Secondly, it focuses on the phenomenon of “active ageing” and “long-time learning” concept. Furthermore, it studies the more specific issues of why, how and what seniors want to learn when starting or continuing to learn foreign languages. In the paper, the role of an educator is emphasised as well as logistic solutions that institutions providing for seniors adapt.