Young Learners VS Adult Learners

1. Autonomy

Adult learners are very independent. It is possible (and beneficial) to let adults work things
out for themselves, organize themselves and even decide the direction of the lessons.

While Young Learners aren’t very Independent. With Young Learners, on the other hand, it
is necessary to be in charge of the classroom, giving clear instructions and dealing effectively
with learning strategies and classroom management.

2.Learning

With adults it is possible to spend more time on learning tasks so it is possible to engage
more deeply with the learning materials.

In terms of learning, Young Learners need to be given a wide variety of activities which
relate to the different senses. Activities in a Young Learner classroom should be short.

3.Anxiety

Believe it or not, adults are generally more nervous in the classroom. Adults may feel anxious
because of the fact that they are not the age of the “typical” learner and so they will approach
activities with a sense of apprehension if they do not feel comfortable; they will need more
positive encouragement.

Young Learners seem to have no fear and are willing to try anything – as long as they
perceive it to be fun.

4.Motivation

Adults are more likely to be more motivated .Adults are generally in the classroom because
they choose to or because they need to learn English for work or study, which means their
motivation levels are naturally high.

Young Learners usually have no choice, which means that they may lose enthusiasm if they
are not interested in what is happening in the classroom.

5.Discipline

When teaching adults, disciplines should not be an issue because, well, they’re adults.

Teaching Young Learners is all about being able to deal with discipline calmly and
effectively.

6.Life Experience(what the students bring to the classroom)

Adults bring life experience as they have already had a lifetime of experiences and have their
own ideas and opinions.

While Young Learners are still learning about the world around them still Young Learners
they bring enthusiasm, curiosity and energy
Young Learners VS Adult Learners

A child is defined as anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday (UNCRC 1989)

According to Cameron, young learner is being learner aged between five and twelve years
old, so the young learner’s age is in elementary school.

What is Adult Learner

1. An adult, considered mature in status and experience, that is in a formal or informal

learning process. Learn more in: Key Aspects of Teaching and Learning in the Online
Environment

2. A student who is age 24 years or older when he/she enrolling in an institute of higher
education as an undergraduate student. Learn more in: Virtually Onboarding and Supporting
Adult Students in College Using Web 2.0 Technologies

3. A person who is 25 years and above, who is involved in forms of learning. Many of
the adult learners go back to school to finish a diploma or a degree or earn a new one. Learn
more in: Adult Learner Characteristics Important for Successful Learning in Cross-Cultural
Web-Based Learning Environments in Higher Education

4. An individual socially accepted as an adult who is in a learning process interested in

lifelong learning including personal, social and skill development. Learn more in: Public-
Private Partnerships (P3s) between Businesses and Adult Education Providers

5. The term given to those students over the age of 25 who are studying toward a college-
offered degree or other credential. Learn more in: Improving U.S. College Graduation Rates
with Quality Online and Blended Degree Completion Programs: Lessons Learned

6. Learners who are age 25 or older and are characteristically distinct from primary and
secondary school learners, as well as traditional undergraduate learners in college. Learn
more in: Unconventional Delivery: Developing and Implementing Service-Learning in an
Online Course

7. The definition revolves around the learner, not the level of mathematics being studied.
Knowles (1990) AU145: The in-text citation "Knowles (1990)" is not in the
reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation.
argued that there four definitions of the term adult: biological, legal, social, and
psychological. The last occurs at a point where self-direction comes into function and is the
most central from the point of learning. In this study, adults are individuals of 18 years or
older and continue their education intentionally. For some of them, it is a continuation of
their school experience; for others there may be a break of a few years or more since their last
formal mathematics course. Learn more in: Investigating the Adult Learners' Experience
when Solving Mathematical Word Problems

8. Adult learners are individuals who perform roles associated by society with adults
(worker, spouse, parent, responsible citizen), perceiving themselves to be responsible for
Young Learners VS Adult Learners

his/her own life (Knowles, 1990). Learn more in: A Case Study Exploring Quality Standards
for Quality E-Learning

9. A student typically 25 years of age or older who is self-directed, motivated, and an active
participant in his or her learning process Learn more in: Facilitation of Web-Based Courses
Designed for Adult Learners

10. An adult, considered mature in status and experience, in a formal or informal learning
process. Learn more in: Engaging the Adult Learner Through Graduate Learning
Communities

11. Typically defined as learners over the age of 25, and are often referred to as
nontraditional students.Learn more in: High Tech, High Touch, High Context: Social
Dimensions of Learning in Online, Hybrid, and Learning Pod Environments

12. Nontraditional students (ages 25 or older) in postsecondary education. In this study, adult
learners have attended some college but have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Adult
learner will be used interchangeable with “adult students.” Learn more in: Asynchronicity,
Access, and Attainment: Best Practices of an Adult Degree Completion Program

13. Those that have taken on adult roles, such as a parent or spouse, and are responsible for
their own lives. Learn more in: Massive Open Online Courses and Completion Rates: Are
Self-Directed Adult Learners the Most Successful at MOOCs?

Adult learners are a diverse group – typically age 25 and older – with a wide range of
educational and cultural backgrounds, adult responsibilities and job experiences.