learning, community, ownership: a prescription for ageing well · your neighbourhood in montreal ....

S.P.E.A.K. Seniors Practice English and

Know-How: A MILR Inter-generational Initiative

Presented by:

Nancy Grayson and Carolynn Rafman McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement

Meeting of the Minds,

Portland Maine,

October 25, 2004

McGill Institute for Learning in

Retirement (MILR)

100% peer learning, member-led

850 members

Under umbrella of McGill’s Centre for Continuing Education

Downtown Montreal campus

Our front door

An intergenerational idea

Members coaching international students

One-on-one mentoring

Presentations to an Intensive English class

International students could participate in a MILR study group

WHY: General Needs of

Retirees

continued activity

intellectual stimulation

social interaction

maintaining skills

contributing to society

HOW: Doing the groundwork

Endorsement: MILR Council, Continuing Education and McGill University Senate

Involve key people: ‘The’ committee, decision makers, recruits

Spread the news: poster & questionnaire

Talk it up

WHERE, WHAT & WHEN:

Evolution & issues

1. Classroom presentations

2. Conversation partners

3. Scheduling & a place to meet

4. Matching generations

5. Location, location, location

6. Nurturing SPEAK

Introducing yourself: Outline

for classroom presentations

Where you’re from

Your experience coming here

Career/work experience – how you

chose it or it chose you!

Field(s) of interest

Your neighbourhood in Montreal

Matching conversation partners

Students mostly from China, Korea, Japan and South American countries

Level 5 Special Intensive English in their 20s

On the spot requests

Scheduling appointments

SPEAKers: 4 Bios

Frances: volunteers in MILR and as guide at historical museum, taught elementary school for immigrant children

Harry & Ann: worked in Taiwan when foreigners were known as ‘white devils’

Carole: taught in rural U.S. school, single, no children

Otto: businessman interested in international affairs and high tech industry

WHY SPEAKers agreed to be

presenters and/or partners :

Wanted to help someone – knew how hard it is to be an immigrant

Wanted to compare past experience with current generation

Filled a gap to meet generation she hadn’t had contact with in many years

Update on changes in Asia

Benefits to SPEAKers :

Satisfaction of meeting young people choosing Montreal and McGill

Like challenge of exchanging political views

Opportunity to talk about myself with captive audience and a 10th floor view !

Update on fashion trends: Britney Spears

Intelligent one-on-one conversation

Learn about another culture

Fulfilled mothering instinct

Share wisdom of what we are

On campus with James McGill

Benefits to MILR and its members

More visibility within host university

Opportunity to contribute to community: Inter-generational / -cultural / -departmental

Members enjoy informal structure

Satisfaction: communicating between cultures and generations

MILR Tips

Start small

Recruit enthusiastic people

Find convenient location

Provide guidelines

Nurture SPEAKers

Personal experience

“Talking to these young people

helped me realize that I have. by this

stage of life, accumulated some

wisdom which it is a pleasure to

share”

Nancy

“Discussing Chinese and Japanese history and culture firsthand.”

Carolynn

For further information

McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement

www.mcgill.ca/milr

tel. (514) 398-8234

MILR.conted@mcgill.ca

carolynn.rafman@mcgill.ca