Second Language Acquisition as a Lifelong Learning Strategy for Enhancing Social Participation and Wellbeing in Older Adults

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-831-8_29How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Lifelong learning; Second language acquisition; Social participation; Wellbeing

Abstract

This study explored the role of second language acquisition as a lifelong learning strategy for enhancing social participation and wellbeing among older adults. It employed the qualitative research design and analyzed the data using a thematic analysis approach. Due to the relatively small population of English learners aged 50 and above in China, as well as the associated challenges in recruitment, we made every effort to recruit 12 respondents, who are representative of the typical characteristics of English learners in this age group. These participants were categorized into advanced learners, intermediate learners, and beginners. Based on the study findings, several themes emerged regarding the role of second language acquisition. For enhancing social participation, it helps with enhanced social connectivity, such as enabling seamless integration into local communities during business trips through language skills, and professional empowerment, opening doors to international business opportunities. In terms of wellbeing, it contributes to cognitive and emotional wellbeing, keeping minds active and boosting confidence, as well as cultural competence and inclusivity, providing insights into different cultures. Other themes, including career competitiveness and access to diversified information, also emerged. The study proves that second language acquisition plays a vital role in lifelong learning among older adults.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Wang Chengcheng
AU  - Liu Guannan
AU  - Liu Yiran
AU  - Robert James Ford
AU  - Abanobi S. Solomon
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/08/31
TI  - Second Language Acquisition as a Lifelong Learning Strategy for Enhancing Social Participation and Wellbeing in Older Adults
BT  - Proceeding of the 1st International Conference on Lifespan Innovation (ICLI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 236
EP  - 243
SN  - 2468-5739
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-831-8_29
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-831-8_29
ID  - Chengcheng2025
ER  -