Home - English for Seniors

Enhancing cognitive skills and social well-being through English Learning for seniors

The project, approved under the Erasmus+ program (Small-scale partnerships in adult education), aims to improve the cognitive abilities and social well-being of older people through English language learning.

It runs for 18 months (from 01/09/2025 to 28/02/2027)

Learn English. Train your brain. Age actively

Partners

Fundacja EDUNET (Poland, Lead)

Fondazione Giuseppe Levi Pelloni (Italy)

Centro Cultural e Desportivo de São José (Portugal)

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Main Objectives

The project aims to promote English language learning among adults over 65 as a means of preventing cognitive decline and promoting active ageing, through an innovative approach that combines language education, scientific research and social activities.

Cognitive and Social

Well-being

Strengthen the mental capacities of older adults, prevent cognitive decline and dementia, and reduce loneliness and social exclusion through engaging language-learning activities.

Enhancing Adult Education Opportunities

Develop and share innovative teaching methods and digital tools for English language instruction to seniors, while improving educators’ skills and competences.

Promoting Inclusion and Cultural Awareness

Use English as a gateway to explore the history, literature, and traditions of the partner countries, fostering intercultural and intergenerational dialogue.

E-Book “Learning English by Seniors versus Dementia”

A manual including lesson plans, innovative methodologies, and guidance for using digital tools in teaching older adults.

Digital Toolkit for Educators

A package of multimedia resources and online platforms (e.g. Canva, Kahoot, YouTube, iMovie, Storyboard, etc.).

Digital Stories

Creative digital narratives produced by senior learners, inspired by their cultural heritage.

Intangible Benefits for Older Adults

Greater self-confidence, mental stimulation, reduced isolation, improved coping skills, enhanced self-esteem, and a renewed sense of belonging.

Benefits for Staff

Professional growth, new teaching strategies, empathy, international cooperation, and exchange of good practices.

First Meeting in Rzeszów (kick-off) - Poland, 3-5 november 2025

The meeting ensured a shared strategic understanding of project goals, outputs and responsabilities

The kick-off meeting was organised in Rzeszów, Poland, hosted by the coordinating organisation Fundacja EDUNET. Partners from Portugal, Italy, and Poland.

Tasks and responsibilities: step-by-step discussion, analysis & decision-making. During the opening session, the Polish coordinator presented the agenda, the project framework and expected outcomes.

Partners introduced their institutions, experience in adult education and work with senior learners.

Gallery - First Meeting in Rzeszów

News, articles, press reviews

Contributions on the topics addressed in the project with articles from

blogs and the international press

Bilingualism as a protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia

This study examined the effect of lifelong bilingualism on maintaining cognitive functioning and delaying the onset of symptoms of dementia in old age.

Study shows learning a second language thwarts onset of dementia

If becoming fluent in a second language is on your bucket list, a recent study of Iowa University, may compel you to immediately register for an introductory language course.

Does bilingualism protect against dementia? A meta-analysis

Evidence suggests that bilingualism may contribute to neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve, allowing individuals to resist cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease progression, although the idea remains controversial.