It’s not easy to be an adult learner. To return to the classroom, adult learners must rearrange their work and family responsibilities to prioritize their own education, which is a major logistical challenge for many. Plus, returning to an environment that may not evoke happy memories of praise and success can lead to insecurities.
Workers must communicate effectively to reach their full potential. A professional’s poor communication skills can stall their career, leading to wasted time and unmet goals. For example, asking for a promotion or a raise will go much more smoothly if a professional can put skills, accomplishments and value into words. People who clearly describe why they deserve promotion are more likely to get what they want. Educators who teach adult learners valuable skills — like communication — help adult professionals reach their personal and career goals.
However, effective communication helps with more than just asking for a raise. Effective communication is key to teaching a class, leading a team, expressing concerns and conversing with family. Unfortunately, this is an area where many adults struggle. The online Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Educational Theory and Practice with a Concentration in Adult Education from Arkansas State University (A-State) teaches educators how to support adult learners as they build their communication skills, helping them develop the skills they need to grow.
Communication Skills in the Workplace
Adult education is meant “to provide the large and diverse population of adults who lack basic skills, a high school credential, or English language skills with the competencies they need to be productive workers, family members, and citizens.” Communication and language proficiency are two of the main competencies, making them a perfect area to focus on for educators wanting to help adult learners move forward in their careers.
Effective communication in the workplace increases collaboration, boosts productivity and prevents misunderstandings that lead to conflict and inefficiencies. People with strong communication skills can share information in a way that gets their point across, whether that’s by using speaking, writing or non-verbal cues. On the other hand, unclear communication leads to errors, misunderstandings, wasted time and unmet expectations, which impacts productivity and deteriorates relationships.
This applies to both leaders and front-line workers. Leaders must communicate clearly so the team understands their expectations, and team members must communicate effectively so their leaders are aware of any challenges they experience. Employees often feel anxious or uncertain when they express feedback and feel it isn’t being heard, leading to frustration and decreased performance. These communication issues can erode trust in leadership, strain relationships and cause missed deadlines or conflicts with colleagues.
It’s clear that strong communication is essential to reaching one’s full potential at work, but these skills don’t come naturally to everyone. To become a better communicator, many workers must actively seek opportunities to develop these skills. That’s why focusing on communication skills should be a top priority for educators looking to help adult learners advance their careers.
What Makes an Effective Communicator?
Effective communicators use a mix of knowledge, attitude and skills to express themselves. They confidently ask the questions needed to fully understand the issue and use the knowledge to adapt the way they deliver information to meet the learning styles of their audience. This means they know what to say and how and when to say it.
Next comes the communicator’s attitude, which is just as important as their knowledge. Building a work environment where others feel comfortable sharing ideas requires patience, open mindedness and respect. On top of knowledge and attitude, certain skills contribute to effective communication. These skills include verbal and non-verbal cues, active listening and the ability to provide constructive feedback.
Improving communication skills can be life-changing, especially for adults trying to advance their careers. It improves how they manage their personal and professional lives and creates new opportunities. According to Indeed, strong communication skills also help adult workers provide better customer service, build stronger teams, meet goals and promote creativity and innovation.
Preparing Educators to Teach Communication Skills to Adult Learners
Learning to teach communication skills to mature learners is the next logical step for any educators focused on supporting adult learners in their career progression. By focusing on communication skills — one of the most crucial competencies in both personal and professional settings — educators can help adult learners unlock their potential and achieve their goals.
Through courses like Introduction to Adult Education, Psychology of the Adult, and Teaching Reading to Adults, A-State’s online MSE in Educational Theory and Practice – Adult Education program enables educators to understand adult students’ learning needs. Graduates have a nuanced understanding of the adult learner’s experience and how to build their proficiency and confidence as communicators.
Learn more about A-State’s online MSE in Educational Theory and Practice with a Concentration in Adult Education program.