Prof. Dr Slobodanka ?oli? is a full professor (retired) of English at the University of Arts in Belgrade: the Faculty of Applied Arts. In 2016, she was promoted to Professor Emeritus in the field of English Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Slobodan P. University in Bijeljina, Republic of Srpska, and at the University of Prishtina at the Faculty of Philosophy with temporary administration in Kosovska Mitrovica at the Department of English Language and Literature. She teaches the methodology of scientific research in the field of applied linguistics in doctoral studies and is a mentor in the preparation of doctoral theses. Her areas of interest are the history and development of the English language, the methodology of teaching English, teaching literature for the needs of learning a foreign language, and teaching English for academic and special purposes –EAP & ESP. She is the author of three monographs and scientific studies, among which we mention The English Language: The Story of Its Development (2002) and Globalization and Management in Foreign Language Teaching: English at the Beginning of the 3rd Millennium (2013). She is the author of a large number of English language textbooks and has 130 published papers from the mentioned scientific fields (1974-2020). Her newly published book is titled Persida Persa Milenkovic. Rise in the value of spirituality. The book follows the life of the famous Serbian humanitarian through historical events in Belgrade and Serbia during the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. The book in print with co-author prof. dr Cajka Zoran is titled The Development of the English Language with Dictionary. Her recent interest in preventing and delaying the Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in adults and the elderly through learning a foreign language and becoming involved in sports activities and exercises was reflected in some articles presented at international conferences in Belgrade. She started her professional career in 1970 to complete 50 years in 2020. She is a Vice-President of MIANU – IRASA (International Research Academy of Science and Art) and Vice-President of Serbian Royal Academy of Innovative Sciences.Order of the Knight of Tesla for my meritorious work by the Serbian Academy of Innovative Sciences
Cognitive reserve increases with the development of cognitive abilities and skills in foreign language learners when involved in an intensive cognitive activity that engages multiple neural pathways, including memory, attention, problem-solving, and social interaction, making it an excellent tool for enhancing cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve—the brain's resilience to damage—plays a pivotal role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other symptoms of different forms of dementia. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as foreign language learning, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance cognitive reserve and mitigate the effects of neurodegeneration. When foreign language learners are exposed to cognitive (mental) training - memory, attention, and information processing, they create a framework for more effective and efficient language acquisition, and with this skill, cognitive reserve abilities increase, and new information is retained in consciousness; information being suppressed in the subconscious become recovered in consciousness. Learning a foreign language stimulates neuroplasticity, which results in improved cognitive performance and slower rates of decline in memory and attention. This article focuses attention on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as significant public health challenges considering the global population age. Foreign language learning, being a powerful means of keeping the brain active, offers an accessible, and enjoyable way to enhance cognitive reserve in the elderly population, potentially delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. By integrating language programs into public health initiatives, societies can empower older adults to maintain their cognitive health and quality of life, addressing a growing global health concern. Keywords: FLL, cognitive reserve, Alzheimer’s disease, public health.