Assignment C - Part 2.i
Authentic Text
The Conversation
Four reasons you should consider adult
education – even if you’re at the start of
your career
Published: April 13, 2022 3.35pm SAST
Adult education has often been associated with evening classes for older people, such as the
wonderful non-formal educational opportunities provided by organisations like the University of
the Third Age. Nevertheless, there is huge value in learning at all stages of life for work, self-
development, health, happiness and participation in wider community life.
Colleges and universities provide opportunities that include short courses, evening classes, fully
online distance-programmes and work-based learning. Adults can study for pleasure, to gain a
professional development certificate, or to complete a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree,
or even a PhD.
Research has demonstrated the positive impact of lifelong learning. Its transformative effects
include developing critical and reflective skills, fostering a better understanding of our place in the
world and our relationship to others, and developing a more secure and fulfilled sense of
wellbeing.
Despite these benefits, the collapse in further education funding and the introduction of higher
university tuition fees has made adult education a noteworthy casualty of austerity. There has
been a dramatic decline in the number of adults studying in colleges and universities. Part-time
mature student participation decreased by 57% between 2010-11 and 2019-20.
On the positive side. the expansion of online learning means there are now considerably more
opportunities to get back into study as an adult, especially for those looking to enhance their skills
or change career trajectories.
Here are four reasons to think about studying something new – even if you’re at the beginning of
your career.
1. The idea of a career has changed
Many of the jobs advertised today would not even have existed when today’s 30-year-olds were in
school. While the idea of a “career for life” has not disappeared entirely, the rapid pace and scale
of change means that we are more and more likely to move around considerably during our
working lifetime. We will take more career breaks, seek more promotional opportunities, or jump
ship and start entirely afresh – often on a number of occasions across our working lives.
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
Authentic Text
The Conversation
Four reasons you should consider adult
education – even if you’re at the start of
your career
Published: April 13, 2022 3.35pm SAST
Adult education has often been associated with evening classes for older people, such as the
wonderful non-formal educational opportunities provided by organisations like the University of
the Third Age. Nevertheless, there is huge value in learning at all stages of life for work, self-
development, health, happiness and participation in wider community life.
Colleges and universities provide opportunities that include short courses, evening classes, fully
online distance-programmes and work-based learning. Adults can study for pleasure, to gain a
professional development certificate, or to complete a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree,
or even a PhD.
Research has demonstrated the positive impact of lifelong learning. Its transformative effects
include developing critical and reflective skills, fostering a better understanding of our place in the
world and our relationship to others, and developing a more secure and fulfilled sense of
wellbeing.
Despite these benefits, the collapse in further education funding and the introduction of higher
university tuition fees has made adult education a noteworthy casualty of austerity. There has
been a dramatic decline in the number of adults studying in colleges and universities. Part-time
mature student participation decreased by 57% between 2010-11 and 2019-20.
On the positive side. the expansion of online learning means there are now considerably more
opportunities to get back into study as an adult, especially for those looking to enhance their skills
or change career trajectories.
Here are four reasons to think about studying something new – even if you’re at the beginning of
your career.
1. The idea of a career has changed
Many of the jobs advertised today would not even have existed when today’s 30-year-olds were in
school. While the idea of a “career for life” has not disappeared entirely, the rapid pace and scale
of change means that we are more and more likely to move around considerably during our
working lifetime. We will take more career breaks, seek more promotional opportunities, or jump
ship and start entirely afresh – often on a number of occasions across our working lives.
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
