Abstract

Through the case of Jacqui, this article describes a community-based project called Seniors Thrive, which was intended to help immigrant seniors learn English, build social connections, and strengthen their leadership in order to support their health and well-being. The programming merged language learning and leadership opportunities through arts-based programming. Multiple classes offered through Seniors Thrive brought together individuals from all walks of life to learn together and from each other. As a result, many learners, including Jacqui, demonstrated heightened confidence in their English speaking abilities and increased their social connections. The arts-based program enabled the voices of older learners to be heard beyond their closed communities. We pose that arts-based activities have the potential to transform language learning in later life, if arts-based programs follow a flexible and community-driven design.

摘要

本文通过 Jacqui 的案例，描述了一个名为 Seniors Thrive 的社区项目，该项目旨在帮助移民老年人学习英语、建立社交关系并加强他们的领导能力，以支持他们的健康和福祉。编程通过基于艺术的编程融合了语言学习和领导机会。通过 Seniors Thrive 提供的多个课程将各行各业的个人聚集在一起，相互学习。结果，包括 Jacqui 在内的许多学习者对自己的英语口语能力表现出更高的信心，并增加了他们的社交关系。以艺术为基础的计划使年龄较大的学习者的声音能够在封闭的社区之外被听到。