Challenges and Opportunities in Empowering Adult CALD Learners: Insights from Australian Adult Community Educators

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Challenges and Opportunities in Empowering Adult CALD Learners: Insights from Australian Adult Community Educators
Language: English
Authors: Anneleis Humphries, Gosia Klatt
Source: Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 2025 65(1):10-33.
Availability: Adult Learning Australia. Office 1, Henderson House, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia. Tel: +61-3-9689-8623; e-mail: info@ala.asn.au; Web site: https://ajal.net.au/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adult Education, Student Diversity, Cultural Differences, Language Usage, Student Empowerment, Barriers, Adult Educators, Educational Policy, Student Needs, Faculty Development, Second Language Learning, Immigrants
Geographic Terms: Australia
ISSN: 1443-1394
Abstract: As Australia's population becomes increasingly diverse, this paper examines how adult education can foster belonging, community, and empowerment for CALD learners -- a critical issue with broad societal implications. While Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) adult education aims to empower learners, this paper uncovers the complex challenges educators face in navigating policy, learner needs, and their own professional development to achieve this goal. This paper explores the intersection of language learning in adult education and the role of individual and collective transformation in promoting empowerment. We draw on interviews with practitioners from various adult education programs that work with CALD students, to examine how they understand empowerment in their work. The themes that arose demonstrate the complexity of the ¿eld and the challenges faced by adult educators in navigating policy limitations, learner needs, and their own professional development requirements.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1476264
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:As Australia's population becomes increasingly diverse, this paper examines how adult education can foster belonging, community, and empowerment for CALD learners -- a critical issue with broad societal implications. While Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) adult education aims to empower learners, this paper uncovers the complex challenges educators face in navigating policy, learner needs, and their own professional development to achieve this goal. This paper explores the intersection of language learning in adult education and the role of individual and collective transformation in promoting empowerment. We draw on interviews with practitioners from various adult education programs that work with CALD students, to examine how they understand empowerment in their work. The themes that arose demonstrate the complexity of the ¿eld and the challenges faced by adult educators in navigating policy limitations, learner needs, and their own professional development requirements.
ISSN:1443-1394