Designing training for adults

Everyone reading this book has probably completed school and also some level of tertiary education. I most cases, this will have meant at least ten years in child-orientated education and about three in an institution for adult students. If your experience is anything like mine, the style of education in the tertiary context was little different to the style in primary and secondary education. This means that our view of education is likely to be highly biased towards a model which focuses on the education of children. Adults have different needs, characteristics and expectations than children. This chapter explores these differences and the way trainers need to adjust their approach to facilitate learning in adults. Adults are different from children. They are capable and responsible. This is necessary in order to survive in the world and to rear the next generation. Adults deserve respect. Adults know what the world is like and have some idea of what kind of problems they encounter and need help dealing with. If they are entering ministry training, they have made a decision to give up other things which the world values in order to serve God and His people. They do have an idea of what Christian ministry involves and want help in learning how to be prepared to become effective. It is our responsibility as trainers of adults to listen to trainees, to understand them and to help them to grow in understanding, attitudes and skills which will help them to work with God and His people to extend God's Kingdom on this earth.