Japanese Seniors Turn to English Classes to Stay Sharp and Social

Bilingualism has been linked to later dementia onset, while a Japanese professor says expressing ideas in different languages may help keep the brain active.

More older adults in Japan are expressing an interest in learning a foreign language, driven in part by hopes that doing so could help keep their brains active and delay the onset of dementia. 

Reflecting this growing enthusiasm, courses for seniors offered by major English conversation schools are thriving.

Research has suggested that bilingualism may be associated with a delay in the onset of dementia symptoms. 

A study published in the journal Neurology on November 26, 2013, found that people who spoke two languages developed dementia an average of four and a half years later than those who spoke only one language. 

However, this does not establish that learning a foreign language can prevent dementia.

Hideyuki Taura, professor emeritus at Ritsumeikan University, says that activating brain cells that are not regularly used requires people to "express the same idea using different words or talk to different people, even when discussing the same subject." 

From this perspective, he says that learning a foreign language is extremely beneficial.

Learning Through Connection

For many older learners, the appeal lies not simply in mastering a new language, but also in stimulating their brains, enjoying communication and connecting with others.

On a weekday afternoon in September, women were diligently studying English in a classroom in Hyogo Prefecture run by ECC, a major language school.

They repeated English sentences aloud after the instructor and applauded one another after each presentation. It felt more like a friendly get-together than a classroom.

One of the students, Sachiko Niihara, 63, described the classes as "an extension of chatting." Even though AI-powered translation apps are widely available, she makes time to study English.

"When I say the words aloud and hear what they mean, I feel like my brain is working. I think it could also help prevent dementia," she said.

Another student, Mami Nagase, 63, said, "If it's something you enjoy, I think it's better to take your time doing it." Her comments reflect the appeal of learning at one's own pace without being preoccupied with efficiency.

Language Schools See Growing Demand

ECC, headquartered in Osaka, launched a course primarily aimed at older adults who were beginners in English conversation about 18 years ago.

Since then, the program has expanded to classrooms across Japan, with enrollment reportedly increasing year after year.

An ECC representative attributed the course's popularity among older adults to the growing number of "active seniors"—people who remain healthy and enthusiastic about work, hobbies and social activities.

The trend is also reflected in survey data. According to the Cabinet Office's Annual Report on the Aging Society published this year, 28.4% of people aged 65 and older participated in some form of learning activity.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living among people in their 60s in the Tokyo metropolitan area found that the percentage of respondents who said they "would like to try studying a foreign language" rose from 28.8% in 1986 to 50.6% this year.

In September, Aeon, a major English conversation school headquartered in Tokyo, launched an English conversation salon aimed at older adults.

In addition to providing a social setting for participants, the program promotes English conversation as a way to stimulate the brain.

As interest in lifelong learning grows, foreign-language classes are becoming more than just an opportunity to acquire a new skill. For many older adults, they offer a chance to stay mentally engaged and socialize.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Aoto Fukuda, The Sankei Shimbun