Adults and youth vary in their learning needs. Recognizing unique characteristics of adult learners, creating a positive learning environment, and considering strategies for how adults learn will make volunteering to teach rewarding for both learner and teacher. Adult Learners Teachers are concerned with how people learn and remember. Adults have a greater fear of failure. Adults are capable of being both learner and teacher.
Adults are more likely to have problems with seeing or hearing.
Some adult learners have been away from structured learning experiences for many years and may doubt their ability to learn. A teacher of adults should keep these characteristics in mind when preparing and presenting a lesson. As a volunteer teacher, or leader, your appearance, attitude and enthusiasm are contagious. Being interested and willing to help, and by creating an environment that is comfortable and secure, you can help the adult learner feel at ease and able to learn. Both teacher and learner will benefit from a well planned lesson that is presented in an environ-ment prepared for learning.