The Influence of Neuroplasticity on Adult Language Learning: Does Age Matter?Badaloska, Elena (Avtor) Sicherl, Eva (Mentor) Keywords: neuroplasticityadult language learningsecond-language acquisitionCritical Period Hypothesiscognitive ageingworking memorymotivationattentionDoes getting older close the door on language learning? The present thesis explores the relationship between age and the learning of a foreign language. It involved five adults who spoke Macedonian and were between fifty and sixty years of age. These individuals took the EF Standard English Test in order to evaluate their reading and listening skills, and also carried out separate tasks to assess their visuospatial working memory, selective attention, and processing speed. A bilingual questionnaire was created in order to find out what helped the participants keep going when learning became difficult. The results indicated that each participant had a different profile and that no one cognitive measure could account for their performance in English. The participants found it helpful to repeat unfamiliar material, ask for explanations, compare English structures with those in Macedonian, watch or listen to English-language media, and spend more time on difficult material. Their motivation and personal learning goals also played a role in their continued efforts to learn. Overall, the findings suggest a more detailed understanding of the relationship between age and language learning. Instead of deciding whether or not learning is possible, age seems to influence the way the learning process is experienced. The fact that the participants were able to learn English even though they had difficulties with some aspects of learning shows that, in addition to cognitive abilities, individual experience, motivation, and the way learners adjust their approach may be important.20262026-11-08 07:15:17Magistrsko delo/naloga190938sl