Older Learners: Influence of Age in Their Second-Language Acquisition Goals

Abstract

This study diagnoses influence of senior students' age in their goals of learning English as second language (L2) and contributes to the language skills analysis the bilingualism. The aim of this paper is to study age affection in second language acquisition. Whilst there are some investigations about second language acquisition in young and adult learners, but it would seem that there are less when investigating acquisition in older learners. Twenty-four Spanish students with an age range between 51 and 60 years old from the educational centers Official Language School (EOI) and Centre d'Autoaprenentatge de Llengües (CAL) with different level of English were selected to answer a questionnaire about how their age affects learning English, and which skills they find easier or harder to acquire. Students were not divided to answer the questionnaire, all were in the same group without distinctions and answer it via online. The data about students' age affection and goals in L2 was acquired from a questionnaire which asked about bilingualism, their English level, usefulness of English, and the easiest language skills for them. The findings suggest that all students are acquiring English language despite their age. Students’ goal is learning English to communicate and acquire new knowledge. However, older students find it easier to learn vocabulary and grammar than reading or speaking, when it is one of the linguistic skills that requires more mental ability. Nonetheless, all of them thought that their age is an impediment for learning a language because they have lost some qualities.