“Never have I ever…” – Inspiration for language classes with 60+
Author: Agata Frankowska
A few reflections on teaching languages to people aged 60+

After the second international meeting for the „Get ready! English for 60+ people” project (KA 210-ADU), it struck me that in Poland, we are very much focused on the material results of projects, while the true strength of international activities, which we often undervalue, lies in inspiration and a change of perspective.
Our project focuses on teaching and learning English to people aged 60 and above, including those who have never learned it before. To be more precise, for the Karuzela Aktywności Foundation, these are individuals aged 70 and above. The project is developing video lessons and a curriculum designed to be helpful not only for professional English teachers but also for foreign language learning facilitators. Three organisations are implementing the project, only one of which is a professional language school: EOI Carlota Remfry from Linares, Spain. EOI hosted the second international meeting of the partner organisations. The Karuzela Aktywności Foundation and LUETEB, the other partner organisations, came to Linares to expand their knowledge of language teaching, including the use of digital tools.
In addition to working sessions, our meeting agenda also included participating in English classes for adults, led by EOI Carlota Remfry instructors. Here are a few inspirations and solutions that I’ve brought into courses with our students:
Using Quiz Apps for Exercises
This type of app introduces a new element of lightness and fun into classes. However, for students over 70, they are not easy to use. If each person is to use the app on their smartphone, most will need individual instruction. It seemed to me that learning how to use them was so complicated that it wasn’t worth the time. However, participating in the classes in Spain showed me that entire English lessons can be dedicated to learning how to use the apps, and only then solving a few quizzes. I can divide students into pairs or groups where those who are more tech-savvy can help; they can then use one smartphone together. I don’t expect students to use such apps independently at home, but we can use them together in class. For the students, it’s also a new and interesting experience. In more advanced groups, instructions can be given in the foreign language, which in itself is also a language learning element.
Presentations About Partner Countries and Locations
One group was tasked with preparing a presentation about the countries and locations of the partner organisations. The group was at an A2 level, so the task seemed difficult, mainly because when I think of a presentation, I imagine longer speeches and complex sentences. In class, I realised that such a presentation can consist of just three slides on selected topics, e.g., cuisine, most important landmarks, interesting traditions, or phrases from a given language.
I also thought this task would be difficult for the students due to the stress that might arise when discussing the culture with people from that country. But I was wrong. The students also prepared questions for us, asking for details or clarification. They handled this task very well. The instructor admitted that she had to temper their enthusiasm because their first attempts were very ambitious, at a language level higher than their current abilities.
I then thought that this was a great exercise, not only because the students had to find information themselves, but also because each of them had a topic to discuss with us. Even from an A1 level, you can build confidence in speaking a foreign language this way. It’s an incredibly satisfying experience when people from outside your own country understand you, even at an A1 level.
Foreign Language Volunteer and Language Games in Class
In one of the classes, in addition to us, there was a special guest – a volunteer from the USA. He co-led the class and invited all participants to the popular game „Never have I ever…”. Everyone had to complete the sentence and say something they had never done, choosing something common to them. Then the volunteer spoke with that person, asked questions, and encouraged others to do the same.
I must admit that this game brought a lot of naturalness and ease to the class, which everyone needs when speaking a foreign language. This experience inspired me not only to invite foreign guests to classes but also to use games and activities more widely that students are familiar with, but which we can play in English.
Creating Video Lessons as a Class Element
The meeting in Linares was also the premiere of a pilot video lesson prepared by EOI Carlota Remfry. The implementing team told us about the preparations and the entire process of creating the material. I must admit, this was the moment I believed we would succeed in creating video lessons with our students. I understood that it’s not about the „actors” speaking perfect English – there are plenty of such materials. It’s about them speaking naturally, like Italians or Spaniards, because people going on mobilities most often interact with people who have also learned English as a second language and not necessarily at a C level.
Before the meeting, I treated lesson creation as an additional activity, carried out alongside regular classes. After the meeting, I understood how to incorporate the process of creating them into the curriculum itself.
—
The meeting took place between November and December 2024 as part of the “Get ready! English for 60+ people” project in Linares, Spain. The project is implemented in a partnership of three organisations – the Karuzela Aktywności Foundation from Lublin, the LUETEB University of the Third Age from Satriano di Lucania, Italy, and the EOI Carlota Remfry language school from Linares, Spain. Through our joint activities, we focus on sharing experiences related to adult education in senior and intergenerational groups.
Project funded by the EU. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
“Never have I ever…” – Inspiration for language classes with 60+ Dowiedz się więcej »