Third-age Language Learning (TALL)

TALL is an international and cross-disciplinary network of researchers and language teachers interested in older adults’ language learning.
We can learn a new language at any age! As people get older, their learning capacities change, and their approaches to learning may change as well. Older adults may also differ from younger people in how they prefer to be taught.

TALL members are looking into these issues in their research and practice. We take a positive view of later life stages instead of emphasising losses or potential deficits.

It is our aim to formulate a more balanced narrative surrounding language learning and use in later life and ageing more generally.

In our research, we explore inter- and intra-individual developmental paths and the interactions of multiple factors in older adults’ language learning and use.