Adult Education Rewarding

The University of Canterbury offers a range of vocational qualifications, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in adult teaching.

Adult and Community Education teaching and learning senior lecturer Dr Marion Bowl says the programmes are designed to help students develop their understanding of adult learning, develop their skills in teaching adults, plan teaching and assessment for adults, and improve their practice in the workplace.

“This year, we are offering certificate and diploma courses in adult teaching and opportunities to study the theory and practice of adult education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It is possible to study for a university qualification in adult education at the university without having previous experience of university study.”

The skills and knowledge required to teach adults are different from those needed to teach children and young people.

“Adults may be returning to education and training after a long break, or they may have felt they failed earlier in their education.

“Adults often have a wealth of experience which can be built on to enable them to succeed in their learning. A good teacher of adults needs the skills and knowledge to build confidence, and to value the experience of the adult learner.

“Adult teaching is a rewarding career. The adult teacher can make a huge difference to people’s lives, developing confidence, expanding horizons, and helping them to find new careers, build social networks or settle into life in this country.

Those qualified as teachers of adults can work in settings that include training staff in shops, offices and industries, and teaching in adult-education classes.

* For further information, phone 0800 827-828, or see www.uco.canterbury.ac.nz

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