Teaching adults is not the same as teaching young people. In many ways, this is a good thing. With adults you get willing students who are hungry and eager to learn. Most adult learners are motivated by the hopes of increasing their ability to command higher earnings. They already know that time is valuable and not to be wasted.

However, adult learners may be shy at letting you know how little they think they know. Watch for students holding back because of low self-esteem. I have often used Will Roger's comment, "we are all ignorant, just on different subjects" to soothe the pain of appearing to be uninformed. Life is a teacher too. Many adults fail to give themselves credit for all that have learned along life's path. It is valuable to acknowledge them for their accumulated knowledge and skills and to show them they are only learning to use a new tool or application.

In order to deliver the right product or service, it is imperative that you know who your customer is. This is fundamental TQM (Total Quality Management) right from Dr. Edward Demming! Survey your class to ascertain the goal for each student. You can do this by asking the students to complete a questionnaire, or with some oral questioning that could stimulate good class participation. This method is wonderful for letting all the students know that they "aren't the only one" who needs instruction.

Offer your students a begin-with-the-end-in-mind statement about what they will gain from the class. Then tell them how you will get there from here! This is called "enrolling" them. A printed syllabus showing the schedule and expectations is a good idea, and depending on where you are teaching, may be required by the administration.

Learn more about this author, Emily Joy White.
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