Part of a model developed to explain dropout from adult education programs was tested. The model describes adult education participants as life-chance (lower socioeconomic groups) or life-space (upper socioeconomic groups) oriented, with life-chance being synonymous with defiency motivation and life-space being synonymous with growth motivation.…

Washington has come to recognize the growing educational force of lifelong learning across the country. This growth and the current status of federal legislative efforts, including the establishment of the Lifelong Learning Project and Senator Edward Brooke's plans for a Senate lifelong learning financing bill, are described. (LBH)

Reviews the research on the teaching of English to undereducated adults, suggests various factors that might account for the language-based problems of educationally deficit adults, and draws implications for classroom teachers. (JG)

Adult students (25 years old and over) currently constitute 43% of all college students. This paper investigates the importance of college timing in determining earnings. Findings show that those who complete college at a later age receive a significantly smaller initial earning increase than those who acquire their education earlier in life.…

Explores the experiences of graduate students returning to school. Connects adults' experiences in graduate school to those of children in elementary school, utilizing findings and comments from interviews conducted with 30 graduate students. Argues that the boundaries between child and adult learning are socially constructed. (25 citations) (MAB)

Lists activities designed to improve students' skills in speaking, writing, singing, and grammar in a foreign language. These activities include talking about resolving a problem situation, writing a narrative in the foreign language being studied, listening to a song and associating its words with images, and engaging in conversation designed to…

Journal entries of disadvantaged students in a preadmission prep course illustrate the potential of such "personal" writing to perform a powerful cultural critique and bridge the gap between academic and personal discourses. A conflict appeared between literate practices students already used and those they were expected to adopt in academia. (SK)

Aging baby boomers approaching retirement, more educated than previous generations, may see proximity to a college or university as a factor in relocation. Institutions can offer residential and recreational facilities for special programs or for adults seeking advanced degrees. Colleges and universities can adapt to this new trend and…

Replicating earlier studies, 66 English as a second language speech students at a community college undertook content-based second language learning in psychology, sociology, and history. End-of-semester assessments showed they had improved second-language confidence and learned academic subject matter; most agreed sheltered courses were a useful…

Summarizes the purpose and essential aspects of learner training and examines the extent to which this training is presented and developed in seven recently published general English language coursebooks for adult students of English as a Second Language. The analysis extends and develops a previous similar discussion. (10 references) (Author/CK)

Longitudinal interviews with six Australian women taking a community college certification course revealed the forms of social support they received. Different types of support were provided by family and by college friends. (SK)

Analysis of narratives constructed in 61 group and individual interviews with mature, working-class adults returning to education showed that, although access programs targeted disaffected learners, many still felt alienated or marginalized or received minimal support and encouragement. They believed that education had to be perceived as…

Interviews with 45 British adults returning to education found that, although guidance is available, many are unaware or do not seek it. They expressed satisfaction regarding relationships with tutors, although they were critical of the level of support given by some tutors. (SK)

Responses from 29 part-time adult learners in Hong Kong regarding views of teacher support were classified as didactic/reproductive or facilitative/transformative. Differences between the groups related to student and teacher roles and responsibilities. Not all learners welcomed learner-centered approaches. A continuum emphasizing learners'…

To prepare adult students for a problem-based degree program, an orientation workshop was designed to help identify resources, address barriers to study, and acquire skills to benefit from problem-based learning. Transfer strategies included student involvement in planning and as presenters, mentoring, action plans, self-study materials, and…