2. 1.
Creating lesson stages for adults
Teaching adults is quite different from teaching children.
Adults have busy lives with many responsibilities and
demands on their time, and they have chosen to allocate some
of their limited, precious time to take the course you are
teaching.
3. Before Planning a Specific Lesson
Adult learners have significant life
experience and want to integrate
new knowledge with previous
learning. They respond to
collaborative modes of teaching,
and you can effectively share
lesson planning with them. Some
may have anxiety related to
negative experiences in formal
schooling. However, this is
balanced by their motivation
Ask about similar courses they have
taken and what they liked and disliked
about those courses.
It is important that the teacher be
informed about the experience of
learners in past years.
4. Develop the step by step procedures for presenting the
main content of the lesson. Note the materials you will
need to have on hand
List at least 3 clear and specific objectives for the
lesson.
Make them feel comfortable. When students feel safe
to speak and make mistakes, they’ll speak more often
and more honestly. Reward participation with positive
reinforcement, no matter if errors were made.
5. Be very busy; they may work more than one job in
addition to going to school and taking care of
their families. They may be tired during class and
have difficulty staying on task for long periods of
time.
Have different levels of proficiency: student levels
may differ in listening, speaking, reading, and
writing in both their first and second languages.
Have a poor self-concept: many people do not see
themselves as learners. Some do not think they
can learn or that they know how to learn.
6. Be goal-oriented and highly motivated: they have come to you for
a specific reason. Their goal(s) may be long or short term. They
should be involved in sharing and setting their learning goals.
Want or need immediate application: adult learners need to apply
what they are learning. The learning tasks must be practical, have
a clear purpose, and directly relate to their everyday lives.
Have different learning styles: adult learners often relate to their
previous educational experiences. Some may learn by doing,
others by listening, speaking, reading, or writing. Many students
learn better when there are visuals (pictures) or realia.
7. Teach with activities that
include personal
examples.
TIPS
Group Learning
Build teaching activities
for adults that utilize their
past experiences,
education and knowledge.
Allow adult students to
interact without being put
down or discouraged.
Adult students need to
feel safe in expressing
themselves.
An effective lesson plan
encourages students to
use critical thinking and
gives them an
opportunity to apply the
new skills and concepts
being introduced.
