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According to an article published on the National Teaching & Learning Forum titled "The Older Language Learner," the notion that older people are unable to learn a new language is merely a stereotype based on hypotheses from the 1960s and 1970s that have since been disproved. Older people are just as capable of learning a new language, but they do require a different style of instruction. For example, Roger Hiemstra, an Adult Education professor at Elmira College in New York, recommends eliminating homework and graded tests. In that same article from the National Teaching & Learning Forum website, the author claims that the ability to learn is directly tied to a person's health. As people age, their health often deteriorates and the senses that they need to learn are compromised. It is going to be impossible to become fluent in a new language without being able to hear the words and see them written on paper. The stereotype that puts an age limit on learning for people in good health has largely been shattered. According to an article written by Jessica Shepherd for the guardian.co.uk website, funding for educational classes for students over age 75 is projected to double within the next decade. Arizona State University and Kent State University are just a few examples of colleges in the United States that offer noncredit classes for students in their golden years. National Teaching & Learning Forum: The Older Language Learner guardian.co.uk: Adult education funding must be shifted to older people, says reportOn One Hand: Never Too Old
On the Other: Cannot Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
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