An Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) may be evaluated either during the interview procedure (direct-method) or from a tape-made oral interaction (semi-direct method). Such variety in methods of assessment can influence test takers' scores extensively. However, it is not conclusive whether such differences are due to test format or something else.…

Discusses three dyslexic/attention-deficit-disorder adult learners experience in the classroom and suggests strategies that they can employ to overcome their many ways of interacting with text that militate against successful decoding. (JOW)

Recommendations for increasing participation of functionally illiterate adults in community education programs include decentralization of educational sites, availability of transportation and child care, and instruction stressing functional literacy and teaching reading and computation as tools for solving students' personal and social problems.…

Presents a definition and a brief explanation of the anatomy and physiology of dyslexia. Provides some background about the difficulties of diagnosis. Addresses the following topics: (1) dyslexics' success at the undergraduate level; (2) symptoms that instructors and advisors should look for; and (3) appropriate tactics for working with dyslexics.…

Motivation is vital to all learning with the possible exception of incidental learning. Home study may adapt motivational learning theory to its goals by considering basic concepts with related examples. First, the more advance reasons an individual has to believe in the value of home study, the more likely will be the success of educational…

Discusses how experiential learning is a central issue in adult learning. Explores several aspects of experiential learning and how it can be used by adult students. Suggests further examination of the impact of experiential learning on academic performance and of strategies students can use to capitalize on it. (JS)

Summarizes the following differences between adult learners and more "traditional" college age students: (1) chronology; (2) developmental progression; (3) motivation; (4) learning style; and (5) intellectual development. Discusses the debate concerning general education. Discusses the necessity of accommodating the needs of the students and ways…

Increases in the number of older students are prompting some colleges to reconsider the purpose of undergraduate liberal education and adjust curricula and teaching methods to accommodate the more eager, active learners. Adult students may be more directly motivated by rising job requirements and a readiness for liberal arts. (MSE)

Discusses obstacles and problems that confront older hearing-impaired students in the classroom at colleges and universities, where their numbers are increasing, and where these impairments may detract from their receiving maximum benefit from their educational experiences. Presents possible management solutions. (Author/KS)

This information sheet provides a summary of general observations regarding adult learners. Adults from different walks of life may seek out learning at different times in their lives, for different reasons, and for vastly different purposes. Adult learning groups may include students of different ages, cultures, and educational and socioeconomic…

Continuing education for physicians and other health professionals is considered a necessity. One of the methods that physicians could select for their continuing education is the use of self-learning materials (SLM) such as audiotapes, videotapes, slides, television, videodiscs, and computers in the home. A survey taken by the World Health…

Thirty-five articles on teaching English as a second language are presented under the following headings: (1) "Trends and Practices," (2) "The Matter of Errors," (3) "Second Language Acquisition," (4) "Speaking and Understanding," (5) "Reading and Writing," (6) "Vocabulary," (7) "Testing," and (8) "The Matter of Culture." Authors include Clifford…