The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether and through what mechanisms vulnerable adults are empowered through a second-chance education programme. At the same time, the paper aims at unveiling the obstacles hindering learners' empowerment process and making suggestions for the improvement of the educational programme fostering further…

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) provides leadership, professional development, advocacy, and communication for the field of adult education. In our leadership role, we often have the opportunity to recognize exemplary work taking place at the state and local levels. Such was the case with a grassroots training that was developed to…

This qualitative study of 43 adult learners in an urban community college critically examines the theory of andragogy's relevance in today's "New Economy." Findings encompass: (1) an individual dimension detailing adult learners' complex motivations for higher education; (2) an instructional dimension concerning the importance of…

As we have witnessed under the Trump Administration, policies can negatively impact adults' livelihoods. Now more than ever, it is imperative that adult education organizations coalesce their resources and efforts to promote policies and agendas that serve our most vulnerable adult learners. This article will explore a framework to understand the…

The role of international intergovernmental organisations (IIOs) in global and/or European adult education policymaking has received significant attention in the field of adult education (AE) in the twenty-first century. However, empirical AE studies examining the impact of different IIO policies on country-level AE policies and practices, and the…

For 40 years, the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education has been instrumental in promoting debate on critical pedagogical approaches and sharing best practices in engaging in transformative education models. A few months into 2020, it became clear that not only were we in a new age--the digital age--identified by some as the Fourth…

Sweden has been the target country for migrants and refugees for many decades now. One important tool for the integration of newcomers is the language classes called 'Svenska för invandrare' (Swedish for Immigrants). The aim of this article is to answer how Swedish for Immigrants has developed to respond to changes in attitudes to integration and…

Dramatically increased accessibility to recording technologies and participatory nature of today's information environment certainly have emancipatory potentials. Perhaps, we live in an era that Dziga Vertov once dreamed of: mass authorship of filmmaking reveals the injustice and inequality of the world. However, in reality, we are witnessing…

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the occupational downgrading experiences of six adult immigrants. Occupational downgrading happens when an individual's occupation post immigration does not match his or her education credentials and previous professional experiences. The goal is to make sense of the participants' narratives through…

This article scrutinises the normalised realities behind integration policies and training for refugees and immigrants that are claimed to be inclusive. The 'great narrative' of Finland has been focused on equal opportunity via education and training, which makes it even more important to examine the hidden realities and how such realities affect…

In this article, we share the stories of three inspirational Black women who were pioneers in adult literacy: Harriet Jacobs, Susie King Taylor, and Septima Poinsette Clark. Their stories, connected to the struggle for Black literacy and the Civil Rights movement, remain relevant as we continue to strive for social justice and equity for all…

This report looks at the future for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learning in the content of new immigration policies, the recovery from coronavirus, and Adult Education Budget devolution. Drawing on desk research and stakeholder interviews in the West Midlands region, the report considers key questions for the sector and policy…

This evaluation report presents the findings from the project-level evaluation of the CareerTech Challenge, delivered between May 2020 and June 2021. The report examines how the design and delivery of evaluations were undertaken, the findings across process and outcome evaluations and key learning from capacity building support delivered by…

This book examines the unique characteristics of teaching foreign languages to senior learners. It discusses the potential age-related barriers and learning difficulties which may be encountered in senior foreign language education as well as solutions to overcome these challenges. The author describes the processes of human aging from different…

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has committed to the creation of a National Retraining Scheme, which will aim to prepare workers for future changes to the economy, including through automation, to retrain into better jobs. This will help to address challenges to the economy, including automation and advances in technology that are changing the…