Activity and involvement are the keys to effective learning in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. The fragile self-concepts of many adults, however, make them hesitate to plunge into the practice of their newly developed language skills. The answer may lie in simple games and role-playing activities that are useful in establishing…

In 1978 the Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS) was developed to measure the degree of practitioner support of the principles of the collaborative teaching-learning mode for teaching adults. Although the original study with a field test group of 57 produced a valid and reliable 44-item summated rating scale, the stability of the normative…

According to Jack Blaney, there are three basic learning modes, each with their own characteristics, requirements, and implications. While each is appropriate within the proper parameters, there is wide support in the adult education literature for the use of the collaborative mode in facilitating adult learning. An analysis of the works of…

A study assessed the degree to which teachers in the Hidalgo-Starr Adult Education Coop in Texas support and practice the principles in the literature on adult education. During the project, 94 part-time teachers from the Hidalgo-Starr Adult Education Coop completed the Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS). (The PALS is a validated 44-item…