Adult Learners and Vox Clara Tutoring
We’ve recently been reflecting at Vox Clara Tutoring on what we can offer for adult learners. We all have various experiences teaching adults, from university-aged students to those happily drawing their pension. Therefore we’re interested in why adult learners choose to learn and what the best way forward for them is.
Why learn Latin as an adult?
The first question which we asked is what motivates an adult learner and how can we help them keep motivated?
The answers are obviously varied. Some want to learn Latin because it’s something that they did at school and want to breath some life into. Some learn because they are doing a new course where learning Latin would be useful. Some love history and think Latin would help them to enjoy it even more. Some have seen their younger family members enjoying it and want to give it a go, too.
Can I learn something new as an adult?
Taking all these cases together, what we notice is that what motivates an adult learner is the basic delight in learning. We often think that we learn at school as children, university or college as young adults. Then once in the world or work we just get on with it, with little corporate courses here and there. Fundamentally, once we’ve left university, we’ve left education.
Not to use too strong language, but it’s hogwash. If we really look at our lives, they’re spent constantly learning new things, constantly being involved in some form of education. Recently I have been trying to learn to cook better as well as improve my Italian. Sure, neither of these things is happening in a classroom but they keep alive the little spirit we all have of wanting to learn.
What motivates these adult learners is that same drive which motivates us all, in whatever sphere it might be – model trains, stamp collecting, or even sport – to simply learn more and be better. So, when it comes to what we can do to help motivate adult learners? The simple answer is to teach them. Once you start learning, once you seen the improvement, the drive to continue perpetuates. Good teaching is what we can and do add to the mix.
How to learn Latin as an adult learner
The next question is, what’s the best way for adults to learn? This is in many ways a harder question because it depends so much on each individual student. It depends on the pace they want to go, what sort of learning community they’re after, what sort of Latin or Greek they want to learn and for what purpose.
To answer this question requires us to get to know each of our adult learners individually and to provide tailored answers for that person. This is of course exactly what we at Vox Clara Tutoring do. However, there are a few broad options.
- Firstly, it is possible, and for some the best option, to be taking individual 1:1 lessons with any of the tutors. This provides the most tailored and the most individual approach. This is especially good for those at the intermediate plateau or moving on to advanced levels. It’s also perfect for those right at the start needing the basic building blocks put solidly into place.
- Secondly, to join one of the Latin or Greek courses run by us through our associates at The Centre for Applied Theology (CAT). CAT is an adult learning institution which hopes to open the world of Classical education to everyone. This is an excellent option for anyone who wants to try and see whether Latin or Greek are for them. Their eight-week course allows students to get a taste for the languages, make some real progress, and judge whether they want to find a way to continue with them.
- Thirdly, any pairs, trios, or groups of adult learners can come to us and we will run tutoring or a course for them. This doesn’t have to be formal. Perhaps it’s some friends who all fancy having a go at Latin. Or it may be an organisation trying to offer something new to its members.
The title recalls that old idea that once someone has seen a few springs then there’s no hope for them. We know that’s not true! Anyone of any vintage still has learning life left in them and we want to help draw it out.
Are you an adult learner interested in Latin, Greek, Classics, or Ancient History? If so, please contact us using the contact form or via our email. We are happy to advise on the best way forward.