Adult learners come from all backgrounds, with many different experiences and goals. Last year we served over 300 learners between our two locations. These learners ranged from ages 25 through 80 and represented a wide range of educational backgrounds and ethnicities.
Learners come to the literacy program for many reasons:
- not being able to write messages at work
- having difficulty helping children with homework
- realizing an inability to fill out forms
- experiencing challenges communicating with doctors
Remember, some learners have hidden their low literacy skills from family, friends, and work and for this reason literacy services are confidential.
Most learner goals will fall into one or more of these broad categories:
- Self (read a newspaper or magazine, write a thank you note, follow a recipe, take a class, communicate with a doctor)
- Family/Home (read/pay bills, communicate with landlord, help children with homework)
- Work (read directions, communicate with manager or clients, take phone messages)
- Community (find an address, read and communicate in stores, register child for school, pass citizenship exam)
Characteristics of Adult Learners
Adult Learners:
- are used to making decisions
- are often juggling work, family, and other demands
- have to deal with emergencies and unexpected situations
- learn by building on what they already know
- are sensitive to criticism
- need patience and respect
- have their own values and beliefs
- might be reluctant to ask questions
- might pretend they already know something
- sometimes feel insecure about using new skills on their own
Watch these videos on adult learners
Answer the following question and email your answer to us using the form below.
· How does helping an adult improve their literacy skills affect our community?
Literacy Volunteers-HBPL 
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