CONFERENCEhttps://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025.47 | 659-672 | PDF
Professional Development of Foreign Language Teachers in Non-Formal Adult Education Programmes
Ksenija Zečević¹
¹Ljudska univerza Koper, Adult Education Centre Koper, Slovenia
Abstract
Teaching adults differs from teaching children, which also applies to teaching foreign languages. Teachers that teach adults, adult educators (AEs), especially in non-formal education programs (NFEPs), often find themselves teaching adults by chance. Some of them are teachers by training, but there are many experts in their field who do not have a teaching background (e.g. are translators). In Slovenia, there is a limited body of research exploring the perspective of AEs teaching foreign languages to adults in NEFPs towards their professional development. The objective of this study was to address this gap. We were interested in which competencies AEs want to develop, what hinders them in the pursuit of professional development, and what encourages them along the way. In the study, semi-structured interviews were carried out with a convenience sample of AEs of foreign languages in NFEPs. Qualitative data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study showed that AEs recognize the importance of their professional development. They agree their competences would be best developed in training courses where they could exchange experiences with other AEs working in a related field (e.g. those who teach foreign languages to adults). They believe access to training for professional development is mostly hindered by the limited time they can devote to training and training that is not adapted to their needs. Foreign language AEs in non-formal adult education emphasize the need for tailored, practical professional development, peer collaboration, institutional support, and adaptable teaching methods addressing adult learners’ unique needs.
Keywords: adult educators, foreign language, non-formal education, professional development, thematic analysis
In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2025. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2025. Rakstu krājums. Ed. L. Daniela. Riga: University of Latvia, 2025. 698 p.
ISBN 978-9934-36-461-7
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025