Valis Martin, Slaninova Gabriela, Prazak Pavel, Poulova Petra, Kacetl Jaroslav, Klimova Blanka
Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty of Charles University and University Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
Department of Management, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, 500 03, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
J Psycholinguist Res. 2019 Dec;48(6):1311-1318. doi: 10.1007/s10936-019-09659-6.
The purpose of this article is to discuss to what extent foreign language learning may enhance cognitive functions among healthy older population. The methods used in this study included cognitive assessments using standardized tests, intervention through English language teaching and learning, and statistical analysis. Out of 60 older Czech citizens, 42 cognitively unimpaired participants were selected for the experiment. These participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (20 subjects) studying English for 12 weeks (three 45-min lessons per week) and a control group (22 subjects) whose members did not have any language training. The results of the research show that there has been a slight enhancement of cognitive skills in the experimental group. Nevertheless, on the whole, the scores of the experimental and control groups did not considerably differ. Despite this fact, the results indicate that cognitive functions among healthy older population can be maintained through regular foreign language training.
本文旨在探讨外语学习在多大程度上可以增强健康老年人群的认知功能。本研究采用的方法包括使用标准化测试进行认知评估、通过英语教学与学习进行干预以及统计分析。在60名捷克老年公民中，选取了42名认知未受损的参与者进行实验。这些参与者被随机分为实验组（20名受试者），学习英语12周（每周三节45分钟的课程）和对照组（22名受试者），其成员没有接受任何语言培训。研究结果表明，实验组的认知技能有轻微提高。然而，总体而言，实验组和对照组的分数没有显著差异。尽管如此，结果表明，健康老年人群的认知功能可以通过定期的外语训练来维持。
