LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 15:2 February 2015
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Copyright © 2015
M. S. Thirumalai
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What Lifelong Learning Means to a Malaysian Senior Citizen

Kuang Ching Hei, Ph.D.

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of lifelong learning as experienced by a Malaysian female senior citizen in the current era. Data were retrieved from the participant’s reflections which had been chronicled during the course of her learning in 2011. A linguistic analysis was applied to detect major issues described in the reflections which were written in English. These were then itemised under specific headings while the contents of the reflections were then categorised according to these headings. The overall findings suggest that lifelong learning was perceived to be a rewarding experience although the advancing age affected some aspects of her health, memory, vision, physical movement and so her attitude towards learning. The outcome of this paper suggests that lifelong learning was undertaken by the senior citizen for personal satisfaction and this learning process can be made more pleasant if some of the challenges identified can be addressed duly and aptly. In this regard, tertiary institutions may want to look into the development of retiree-friendly curriculum design, retiree-friendly course materials, flexible assessments, retiree-friendly locations and infrastructure as well as conducive learning environments. Senior citizens can contribute to the development of a nation because of their rich experiences and knowledge.

Keywords: lifelong learning, senior citizen, aging, challenge

Introduction

Lifelong learning is a concept of primitive times. People in the early civilisation view learning as a way of life brought on by necessity. Today, learning is a concept that has gained new outlook as its revival is resuscitated by global conferences such as the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA V) held in 1997 and the Dakar World Education Forum (WEF) organised in 2000. The term lifelong learning is viewed as a learning continuum irrespective of age but to date, there is no definitive demarcation for it because different scholars perceive it differently. Nonetheless, it has been declared by the Faure Report (1972) as key to the new millennium. It was declared as an essential tool for mankind for the 21st century as human beings struggle to adapt to the evolving needs of the labour market happening worldwide. The concept of lifelong learning is soon becoming a global issue as soon, it will be a necessary and crucial skill to possess if people want to modify themselves to meet the shape and context of this changing world brought about by political, economic, sociocultural and technological advances. World citizens must inevitably find new skills and acquire new knowledge in order to make themselves useful. Otherwise, they may lose out to the more resourceful others.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Kuang Ching Hei, Ph.D.
Department of English Language
Faculty of Languages and Linguistics
University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia
kuangch@um.edu.my
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