'It's never too late': Care home residents learn second language to delay effects of dementia

At first, 86-year-old Betty had reservations about learning a second language. "I thought it would have been really difficult at my age," she said. "You just don’t expect to be able to learn a new language but the lessons were brilliant - it really is great to try new things."

She is one of 800 adults living in care homes, day centres and retirement communities in Scotland taking part in Lingo Flamingo classes.

They are the brainchild of Robbie Norval, who started Lingo Flamingo two years ago - the world’s first portfolio of Spanish, Italian, French and German language workshops designed to delay the effects of dementia.

"We have crafted a therapeutic language learning package for those living with dementia," he said. "These leisurely classes take into account the medical, physical, and mental health of learners in order to employ the senses, keep the brain active, build confidence, and foster connections between participants.

"At first, it may sound quite surprising to teach languages to older adults but our reasons are twofold. Firstly, it provides them with an interactive and exciting activity to undertake where they learn a new language, explore a different culture and have a lot of fun doing so. Secondly, we are using language learning as a platform to stimulate the brain- as there is some very interesting research which shows that speaking a second language can delay the effects of dementia as well as aiding with stroke recovery."

'A work-out for the mind'

Lingo Flamingo teach a language by evoking different senses. Classes include exercises that encompass sound, touch, scent, feel, and taste.

"One week students might be singing That’s Amore in Italian, sculpting the elegant landmarks of France, or sipping away at Spanish wine," added Mr Norval. "The next week they are perhaps playing traditional German games, discovering the traditions of Spain through flamenco music, or reinforcing their Italian with a cooking session.

"No matter what the activity, our classes incorporate memory tips throughout to help our learners remember new vocabulary and ideas. In so doing we not only make language immersive, fun, and accessible for all, we also act as act as a type of social cognitive therapy, or a 'workout for the mind' as we like to call it."

'You can definitely teach an old dog new tricks'

Mari, a family member of a Lingo Flamingo student, has called the classes 'truly amazing'. She said: "My mum was a great reader, she loved reading, and when she was diagnosed with dementia the reading kind of went away. But since going to the classes, she’s actually been picking up the magazine, and sitting, as she would have done at home, with the magazine on her knee, flicking through it. It’s amazing, it really is.”

Studies published by the University of Edinburgh show that speaking a foreign language can postpone the effects of dementia by up to five years, a condition which is expected to affect more than one million people by 2025.

Researchers also found learning a language increases decision making skills, multitasking skills and heightens a person's ability to concentrate and communicate.

People who also speak a second language are twice as likely to recover from a stroke as those who speak just one language.

Mr Norval believes it's never too late to learn a language. "Research shows that adults of any age significantly increase their attention capacity after just one week of language learning," he said. "Therefore, you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks."

Lingo Flamingo classes last for one hour per week and run for 10 weeks. The cost of the courses are £40 per class which includes all materials, food and specially designed lesson plans. They offer a free taster session to new care homes to showcase how the classes work.

For more information visit: www.lingoflamingo.co.uk