Too often they have suffered repeated, long-term frustration from inappropriate learning situations. A series of unskilled, imperceptive instructors, unfortunate learning experiences, or missed opportunities have deterred resistant learners from enjoying learning. These learners do not believe in or use formal education or academic institutions as positive or enjoyable resources in their life.
Resistant learners are resistant for many reasons.
Ironically, some resistant learners may actually be eager learners on their own outside of formal learning institutions. For example, they may be frustrated transforming learners who aggressively resisted the strictures of too structured, restrictive goals and school environments and chose to learn on their own, quite successfully.