You're never too old to learn something new, and members of the Spanish American Civic Association's senior center know this well.

The older adults, primarily of Hispanic and Latino descent, gained basic computer skills from students at a La Academia Partnership Charter School summer program.

The one-hour sessions were held at SACA's Luis Munoz-Marin Senior Center, 545 Pershing Ave. The program ran through Thursday and the sessions were free.

Sixteen students gathered at the senior center to interview the older adults about their experiences with technology and to get to know them better.

They returned the next day, laptops in hand, to begin the lessons.

Most of the young "techs" were bilingual in Spanish and English and could present ideas and provide training in the language preference of their older pupils.

"We want to make sure they understand how everything works, and it is easier if we do it in the language they speak," said 15-year-old Rafael Astacio.

"I don't know anything about computers, but I like what I'm learning," said Estela Mejias. "I'm thinking about buying one."

Mejias, 64, said she wants to learn how to use e-mail to communicate with her relatives in Colombia, and she wants to access information online.

The teenagers also helped the older adults solve their computer-related issues and wrote down instructions for the seniors to refer to when the students are unavailable.

Ramon Figueroa, 95, unsuccessfully tried to hide his enthusiasm when his trainer showed him how to play dominoes and other games online.

"I'm old, … but I like this," said Figueroa.

According to program director Luis Torres, this was an excellent project that benefited the younger and older generations.

"We wanted to finish with a special project that would benefit the community and enhance the learning experience of the students," said Torres.

The project was the brainchild of Lynelle Kreider, who teaches a life skills course at La Academia.

The objective of the program was to combine a credit-bearing school class with a two-week training program for older adults about basic computer skills such as access to the Internet, e-mail and online searches.

"This is a good opportunity for the students to learn some life skills for when they go into the real world," said Kreider.

According to Kreider, the students had to apply for the position of trainer.

"They learned about job qualifications, the application process and did mock interviews," said Kreider.

Then they spent two weeks training for the sessions.

Classroom discussions focused on the distinctive experience that senior citizens often have with technology and the different scenarios and challenges the students would encounter as trainers.

Torres said school officials might consider incorporating this project into the regular school curriculum.

"I don't know exactly how yet," he said "but it is something we should definitely consider."

ebetancourt@lnpnews.com