Aging in a Second Language: A Case Study of Aging, Immigration, and an English Learner Speech Community (International Perspectives on Aging, 17)

This unique account of English language acquisition by Latino elders shines intimate light on the increasingly complex concerns of aging immigrant minority populations. Rich qualitative findings detail sociocultural barriers to and social and emotive factors that promote second language acquisition in older age. The book’s case study highlights diverse cognitive and social processes as elders establish a sense of self as learners and as part of a learning community, and a sense of place as newcomers navigating a challenging environment. And first-person comments from the group members deftly illustrate the intricacies of being an immigrant in a rapidly changing America as well as the myriad intersections of race/ethnicity, gender, culture, and country that shape immigrant life. Included in the coverage: * Minority aging in an immigrant context. * Late-life second language acquisition: cognitive and psycholinguistic changes, challenges, and opportunities. * Building emotions for self-identity and learning. * Practicing safe language socialization in private and public spaces. * Language resocialization and gender allies. * Aging, second language acquisition, and health. __Aging in a Second Language__ gives clinical social workers, gerontologists, health and cross-cultural psychologists, sociologists, educators and other professionals deep insights into the lives of an emerging active elder population. It also pinpoints challenges and opportunities in research, literacy program design, pedagogy, clinical outreach, education policy, and service delivery to immigrant elders. Preface 6 Acknowledgements 8 Contents 9 1 Introduction: Aging, Immigration, and Second Language Learning in the Hispanic Population 10 Language Matters for Aging Hispanic Immigrants 13 Framing Our Study 16 Organization of Book 19 References 23 2 A Case Study of an English Learner Speech Community 25 How (Older Adult) Second Language Learners Have Been Studied 26 Study Sample 30 Interviewing Strategies 32 Active Interviewing with Hispanic Older Adult Second Language Learners 35 References 37 3 Minority Aging in an Immigrant Context 39 Transitions and Immigration 41 The Structure of Minority Aging and Immigration 42 Aging in Culture and Family 45 Familial Social Exchange: Benefits and Barriers to Minority Aging 47 Social Networks and Neighborhood Context 49 Building Language Capital Through Place 51 References 52 4 Late-Life Second Language Acquisition: Cognitive and Psycholinguistic Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities 55 Review of Linguistic Areas of Interest for SLA and Aging Research 57 Question Formation in English (Developmental Sequence) 57 Four Linguistic Areas Researched in Psycholinguistics 61 Research in SLA and Cognition 63 The Critical Period Hypothesis 63 Interactionalism and Environmental Factors 64 Language Acquisition and Attrition Among Older Adults 65 The Paucity of Research on Late-Life Language Learning 65 Language Aptitude in Late-Life L2 Learning 65 Fluid Intelligence and Working Memory 66 Crystallized Intelligence and Long-Term Memory 68 Challenges and Issues with Late-Life SLA Research 70 Beyond a Deficit-Model 72 References 73 5 Social Constructivism and the Role of Place for Immigrant Language Learners 76 Socio-SLA: Social Constructivism in Adult L2 Learning 78 Applied Linguistics and Aging 79 Older Adult Learners and the “Right to Speak” 81 Investments 86 Aging in Place: ESL Classes as Safe Zones 88 Finding a Place for Older Adult Learners 90 References 91 6 Building Emotions for Self-Identity and Learning 94 Affect and Language Learning 95 Language Socialization and Affect 96 Affective Alignments Among Older Language Learners 97 Affective Alignments Between ESL Students and Their Teachers 101 Overcoming Negative Self-stereotypes About Language Learning in the ESL Classroom 104 References 108 7 Practicing Safe Language Socialization in Private and Public Spaces 111 Navigating Communication Domains in a Multilingual Society 113 Family Language Socialization and Role-Strain 114 Overcoming Elderspeak Through Affiliative Kin Work 117 Public Language Socialization Through Family Alliances and Inner Speech Development 120 References 123 8 Language Resocialization and Gender Allies 125 Social Positioning, Gender Identity, and Language Learning 127 Gendered Literacy as Gendered Labor 129 Negotiating Competence in a Gendered Setting 132 Building Speech Community Membership Through Gender Ally Work 133 Age, Gender, and Language Capitalization 135 References 138 9 Conclusion: Aging, Second Language Acquisition, and Health 140 The Role of Place in L2 Learning 142 Older Adult ESL Learners and Language Socialization 143 Identity Work and SLA 144 L2 Pedagogy for Older Adult Learners 146 Recommendation 1: Awareness of Ageist Discourses 146 Recommendation 2: Intentional Development of Social Capital 147 Recommendation 3: Gender Roles and Language Socialization 147 Recommendation 4: Metacognition 147 Recommendation 5: Bonding, Trust, Solidarity, Camaraderie 148 Recommendation 6: Recruit Interlocutors 148 Recommendation 7: Recruit Classmates as Interlocutors 149 Recommendation 8: Value Older Adults’ Contributions and Talents 149 Recommendation 9: Advocacy 150 Final Thoughts: Aging, Place, and Health 150 References 152 Index 153 Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction: Aging, Immigration, and Second Language Learning in the Hispanic Population....Pages 1-15 A Case Study of an English Learner Speech Community....Pages 17-30 Minority Aging in an Immigrant Context....Pages 31-46 Late-Life Second Language Acquisition: Cognitive and Psycholinguistic Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities....Pages 47-67 Social Constructivism and the Role of Place for Immigrant Language Learners....Pages 69-86 Building Emotions for Self-Identity and Learning....Pages 87-103 Practicing Safe Language Socialization in Private and Public Spaces....Pages 105-118 Language Resocialization and Gender Allies....Pages 119-133 Conclusion: Aging, Second Language Acquisition, and Health....Pages 135-147 Back Matter....Pages 149-154