Adult education: lifelong learning can broaden your horizons

Image by Stephen Downes via Flickr

"Lifelong learning" has become something of a buzzword in recent years.

According to the politicians it’s one of the "key drivers" for "upskilling the workforce" so they can participate in the new "knowledge economy". Buzz, buzz, and more buzz.…

But behind the rhetoric and weasel words of modern political dialogue there’s a serious message trying to break through. It’s simply this: you’re never too old to learn, and learning can and will enhance your life in all sorts of ways… perhaps not just in the areas you expect.

For some adults the decision to return to learning isn’t an easy one to make. Having been compelled to learn through the formal education system, they decide that learning perhaps isn’t for them. Children have a natural curiosity to explore and absorb the world around them — a catalyst for learning that seems absent in many adults, or if not absent then subconsciously subdued. Returning to education years, perhaps decades after leaving the formal education system can feel awkward, unnatural… perhaps even a little frightening. But legions of adult learners attest to the fact that it’s well worth stepping briefly outside your comfort zone to experience the benefits learning can bring.

The really crucial distinction between learning as an adult and learning in school is that as an adult nobody’s forcing you to sit down and listen to something you have little interest in. You’re there because you want to learn, not because somebody else dictates that you have to — and believe it or not that makes all the difference in the world.

AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, believes there are plenty of reasons why Adult Education is vital to the country, the community, families and individuals. They maintain that people who have an opportunity to continually learn and develop their skills and capacities:

• Make our economy grow and develop
• Ensure that their children develop a love of learning and take full advantage of education
• Actively participate in their own communities and civil society
• Support and respect people with different cultural beliefs and abilities
• Respect and protect the environment for future generations
• Nurture creativity and imagination
• Live healthy and fulfilled lives

There’s another reason that they don’t list, but that’s crucially important: learning new things is fun, whatever your age.

Of course the time on your course is also time dedicating solely to you and your personal development. It’s a slice of that much vaunted "me time" that’s so important to our personal well being, but that we so often neglected for the sake of family, career, the house and myriad other distractions that life throws our way.

Learning a new skill is a great way to boost your career prospects, bolster your self-esteem and self-confidence, improve your knowledge, try your hand at something you’ve always fancied and it can even enhance your social life. You’ll meet new people who by definition are interested the same things you are (well, they’re on the same course aren’t they?). That gives you instant common ground, and removes that awkward ice-breaker moment that usually confronts us when we meet someone new.

What can you study?

The short answer is practically anything. Whatever you want to learn there’s almost certain to be a course — or a series of courses — out there to get you from where you are now, to where you want to be. From basic adult literacy courses right up to degree and postgraduate level qualifications with third level institutions, there’s a rich tapestry of options out there for adult learners in Ireland.

What you ultimately choose to study, of course will depend very much on your own individual preferences and circumstances. Do you want to do a night course or learn remotely via correspondence or the internet? How will your studies fit in with your work and family life? What do you hope to achieve… what’s your goal? What kind of support is available? All of these variables and many more will dictate the type of course you choose, and in the end only you can decide what’s right for you.

Where next?

A great starting point for more information about your adult education options is your local Citizens Information office, the Citizens Information website (just type Adult Education into the search box on the homepage) or the Citizens Information phone service on  Lo Call 1890 777 121. They’ll be able to point you to resources that are relevant in your particular circumstances.

The great news is that because adult education is flagged as a Government priority (back to those buzzwords again) there are plenty of initiatives, resources and schemes out there to help you get the most out of your foray into the adult education arena.

The internet is another great resource — both as a place to look up information about the courses, options and schemes that are available to you, and of course as a medium for education in and of itself. If you don’t have access at home you can get access for free at your local library — which is another great resource to find information about your local adult education options.

If you’re not sure about using a computer or the internet, guess what, you’ll find plenty of adult education courses that can teach you just that — some of them are even free. Ask at your library or citizens information office for details.

If you have access to the Internet, and it’s night courses you’re interested in, you’ll find a searchable database of courses and colleges covering all sorts of subjects over at Learning Ireland’s adult learning website www.nightcourses.com. You’ll also find articles and resources geared specifically for adult learners at your local Vocational Eduction Commitee (VEC) website, particularly if you’re interested in local community focussed learning opportunities.

There are many more useful websites on the web, all offering something a bit different. Try searching for Adult Education Ireland on your favourite internet search engine for a list of them.

Whatever you decide to study, and wherever it takes you, one thing’s for sure… you won’t be alone — over 300,000 adults take the plunge in Ireland every year. Why not make this the year you join them?

Be Sociable, Share!

•