Meeting Learner Needs
Develop your confidence, knowledge and practical skills to create engaging, inclusive and effective learning experiences for adults.
The Successfully Teaching Adults workshop introduces educators to the principles and practices of adult learning, with a focus on understanding and responding to the diverse needs of adult learners.
Designed to be practical and interactive, the workshop provides opportunities to explore effective teaching approaches, share experiences and develop strategies that can be applied in a range of Adult and Community Education (ACE) settings.
Workshop availability
There are currently no workshops scheduled.
We welcome registrations of interest from individuals and organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand. Registering your interest helps us identify demand and plan future workshops in different regions.
About the workshop
Effective adult teaching begins with understanding learners, recognising the knowledge and experiences they bring, and creating environments where everyone has opportunities to participate and succeed.
This interactive workshop explores the foundations of adult learning and the practical skills needed to plan, deliver and evaluate effective learning experiences.
Participants will explore adult learning theories and principles, including ako, and consider how these inform learner-centred teaching. The workshop also introduces the ACE Teaching Standards and the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and rangatiratanga as foundations for effective teaching practice.
Through practical activities, group discussions, reflection and shared experiences, participants will explore:
- Understanding adult learners: Recognising learners' experiences, motivations, strengths and learning needs.
- Creating positive learning environments: Building relationships, establishing shared expectations and supporting inclusive participation.
- Planning for effective learning: Developing clear learning objectives, structuring sessions and selecting appropriate teaching methods and resources.
- Engaging learners: Using a variety of teaching techniques, activities and questions to encourage active participation.
- Assessment and feedback: Checking understanding, recognising learner progress and providing constructive feedback.
- Evaluation and reflection: Using feedback and reflective practice to continually improve teaching and learning.
The workshop encourages participants to connect new ideas with their own teaching experiences and identify practical approaches they can use in their everyday work.
What you will learn
By the end of this workshop, participants will have:
- Developed an understanding of key adult learning theories and principles, including ako and the importance of learners' prior knowledge and experiences.
- Explored the ACE Teaching Standards and how their underlying values support learner-centred teaching.
- Identified ways to create inclusive, respectful and supportive learning environments that encourage participation.
- Practised developing clear learning objectives and planning learning sessions that respond to learner needs.
- Explored a range of teaching techniques and resources to engage, motivate and support adult learners.
- Developed an understanding of assessment, feedback and evaluation, and how these contribute to effective teaching and learning.
- Reflected on their own teaching practice and identified opportunities for ongoing improvement.
Who should attend?
This workshop is designed for people working or volunteering in Adult and Community Education, including:
- Educators, tutors and kaiako who are new to teaching adults.
- Experienced educators wanting to refresh or strengthen their teaching practice.
- Community educators, trainers and facilitators delivering formal, non-formal or informal adult learning.
- Volunteers and others involved in supporting adult learners.
No formal teaching qualification is required. The workshop is suitable for people with different levels of teaching experience and from a wide range of community learning settings.
Workshop details
Duration: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Delivery: Face to face
Cost: Fully funded. No registration fee.
Location and dates: To be confirmed, based on future workshop planning.
The workshop is interactive and includes practical activities, group discussions and opportunities to reflect on teaching practice. Participants receive resources to support their ongoing professional learning.
Your facilitator
Tai Samaeli
Tai is the ACE Sector Capability Manager at ACE Aotearoa and an experienced adult educator and facilitator with a background in designing, delivering and evaluating professional learning and community education programmes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
He has worked with a wide range of organisations, including REAPs, community education providers, libraries, iwi partners and correctional education services.
Tai's facilitation focuses on practical, learner-centred approaches that recognise the diverse experiences and needs of adult learners. He supports educators to strengthen their teaching confidence, develop effective strategies and apply the ACE Teaching Standards in their everyday practice.
Register your interest
Interested in attending these workshops or exploring other ACE Aotearoa professional development opportunities?
Complete our short registration-of-interest form to select this workshop and any other workshops that interest you.
You can register as an individual or indicate interest in professional development for a group of 10 or more participants.
We will use this information to help plan future workshops and contact you when relevant opportunities become available.
Registering your interest is free and does not guarantee a place or commit you to attending a workshop.