TO half a century later, Lidia has returned to Brighton to take a language course similar to the one she had enrolled in as a teenager. She’d had a blast at the time – it was her first holiday alone – and yes, she’d even learned a bit of English. As time passed, however, this skill faded a bit, and now that her children are independent, and she is independent again, she has regained the desire to sit in the classroom. And here she is, in the same town of her “roaring” years, listening carefully to the teacher. Are you planning long trips abroad, and how do you do it without English?
Lidia is not the only one over 50 to have chosen a study holiday for the summer. Browsing the catalogs of specialized agencies, one increasingly finds offers geared towards adults.Among the first to propose them is EFworld leader in the sector: «After Covid, our students over 50 grew by 130 percent globally, by 60 percent in Italy» says Natalia Anguas, managing director of EF Italia. «In the last two years, we report a 30 percent increase in applications in Italy. “Mature” students leave because they want to live the experience from the inside, they are curious and attentive. On the calendar for them, in addition to lessons, we have visits to museums, cooking classes, many different activities: yoga and meditation, golf practice, theater evenings, local wine tastings.The courses last 1-2 weeks, a little shorter than those for boys». Favorite destination for men, Dublin; of women, Malaga.
Study holidays over 50: the important thing is the accumulated “baggage”.
But can all this great desire to get back into the game and return to class lead to a concrete result? Haven’t we always been told that languages are learned when we are children, or are they no longer learned? «The question to ask is another: Can you learn as you get older?» intervenes neuropsychologist Raffaella Rumiati, professor at Sissa in Trieste and at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The answer is heartening: «It is a fact that the brain is capable of maintaining plasticity” explains.
Some over 50s on a study holiday. Photo EF
Much, however, depends on personal history: «The final outcome changes depending on the cognitive baggage accumulated during lifeto what we have learned, even informally: not necessarily an academic path but also books, theatre, stimulating work. This makes the difference. If the baggage is there, you age better: it is precisely the so-called lifelong learning, continuous learning, which allows you to keep the brain active and resilient over time». Of course, learning a language when you’re over 50 isn’t very easy: «Especially for pronunciation», underlines Natalia Anguas, «the age difference matters. As adults the task is truly difficult.”
Pronunciation aside, the goal of improving yourself is achievable if you put in the effort and if you “train” all your life. «It is an interactive exercise, it requires understanding the contexts and interacting with a teacher» adds the neuropsychologist. «Cognitive and behavioral skills are mobilized in learning: attention, memory and control are needed». Relational skills, “throwing yourself in”, trying without fear of making mistakes are also decisive. «Seniors today are opening up to new experiences that they had not tried while they were busy with family and work» continues Rumiati. «Up to what age can you take part in a study holiday? If it feels good, there are no limits.”
Natalia Anguas explains what the main ones are motivations of the over 50s: «The first, to improve the language, especially in the ability to interact with others. The second, meeting new people. The third, go on adventures, reinvent yourself. There are some couples but more often they travel alone. And they are certainly more motivated than the boys.”
Learn English and volunteer, on holiday
Yuri Zanini, contact person for educational programs abroad of Weprecalls «a 74-year-old former teacher who was the guest of another former teacher in Lisbon. They remained friends.” Wep also reports a constant increase in registrations from the over 50s.
«The vast majority leave for European capitals, preferably in June and September. Classic destinations are English cities but also Malta, Spain and Portugal, where pensioners – until some time ago – also went to understand if it was worth moving. And if until before Covid our senior students were professionals, today they are men and women who follow language courses for pleasure or personal interest. We also offer them the English + volunteering option, in collaboration with local associations.”
Study holiday: it’s time to practice English. Photo EF
Cultivate the spirit of adaptation
It’s not just English that’s in the sights. Geraldine Mace, founder of Ready to talkwith courses in French, English and Spanish, has organized for the first time Ready to leaveone French full immersion week in Vichy, at the end of July. «The course is for over 25s, but tAmong the members, the youngest is 40 years old and we have some 60 year olds». For these students the objective is not only to practice the language but also «discover the cultural side of a location». Thus, in addition to the tour in Vichy Art Déco and a trip to Clermont Ferrand, “social moments are planned, including a dinner at the home of locals with tasting”.
It’s true that you never stop learning. This was reiterated by Domenica Squillaci, 61, who has been to South Africa twice with EF, hosted by the same family together with a German doctor with whom she remains friends; once in Miami in college, once in Costa Rica to study Spanish, once in Dubai in a hotel, then in Singapore and Honolulu. «I leave alone but I meet the world. The spirit of adaptation must be cultivated» he underlines. The motivation of Daniela, 55 years old, is different: she waited for her daughter to leave for a school year in America and she also packed her bags, heading towards Dublin, where she stayed for 8 weeks, in the house of a single mother, to take an English course with Wep. «I felt the need to improve my knowledge of the language» he explains.
The first seniors enjoying independence
Women, EF data say, are the majority of these students: globally, they represent 75 percent; in Italy, 60. “There is no difference in the brains of the two sexes” clarifies Professor Rumiati, author of The mind of women (Later). «Instead the motivation changes: women today have spaces of autonomy that they didn’t have before, and a language course abroad increases self-efficacy. The overs have benefited from the battles of the past, this is the first senior female generation to truly enjoy independence.” As you take the plane to Malaga, try to imagine your grandmother abroad alone, having fun and studying Spanish. Difficult, right?
