100 Years Young: Meet the Remarkable Learner Starting French at 100!
We’re delighted to announce that Dora, our centenary French student, has achieved a National 2 Qualification while living at Grange Lea Care Home!
Grange Lea, an intimate, family-run care home in Ponteland, Northumberland, was the first care home in England to host Lingo Flamingo French classes. They have welcomed our tutor Judith as one of their own staff and have now run over 100 sessions for their wonderful residents!
Amongst them, Dora Hume has embraced the learning opportunity at the age of 100, with excellent results, so much so, that she has achieved a National 2 Qualification in French personal language just weeks after her 100th birthday!
Madam Hume shows that age is just a number:
“The French class with Judith is wonderful. When I was a schoolgirl, I was the only person who didn’t learn French. I always thought about learning a new language, and after so many years, I finally got the chance. I have really enjoyed every class.”
Judith has been tutoring with Lingo Flamingo for 5 years, first in Scotland then, after moving back to England, she decided to share the joy of language learning to older adults in her local community and care homes. Judith only had positive things to say about the care home and Dora:
“It is a unique home, where residents are encouraged and supported to try new things. We are now beginning our 11th block together and Dora has been a huge part of the success of the project. She has attended regularly since the first taster session, and is always willing to give things a go, no matter how challenging she may see them at first. She always has a smile, and it has been a real pleasure to get to know her and to learn so much from her and her fellow residents over a post-session cup of tea.”
So, congratulations to everyone involved! Just like all of our students, Dora has proven that it is never too late to learn something new. Likewise, thank you to Judith for her fantastic classes and for bringing some je ne sais quoi into the lives of the residents.
Written by: Rosi Mele