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First-rung learning

The Learners' Forum have spoken to many people who have accessed first-rung learning activities, many of them taking part in formal learning for the first time since school.  The following factors relating to tutors made a difference to learners on a first-rung course:

Being treated like an adult was important to learners.  People did not want to feel like they were back at school, especially if their experiences of school had not been particuarly positive.  Learners wanted to be respected by their tutors and this was reflected in different things from the way tutors spoke to the class and individuals, the way in which lateness and absences were dealt with, to the way that assignments were set and marked. 

Having a relaxed and informal atmosphere helped students feel welcome and comfortable in the environment they were learning in.  This was important, again to distinguish the learning people are doing as an adult, from possible bad experiences of formal education in the past.  Keeping it relaxed and informal helped to give people confidence that they were not going to fail at the first hurdle or be ridiculed.  Tutors dictated the atmosphere of a class through their manner of teaching.

The friendliness of tutors helped students to feel confident asking questions, or when they needed to, asking for help. 

Tutors having time to explain and discuss things with the learners and giving them extra support when needed. 

Having the same tutor throughout the entire length of a course was beneficial for some learners, especially when they lacked confidence.  The continuity of the relationship allowed real trust and understanding to develop between tutor and students.

Tutors who could demonstrate they were experienced and knowledgeable  gained the respect of the learners very rapidly as learners wanted to be sure that tutors knew what they were talking about.

Informal tuition from someone known to the learner made learning palatable.  This helped when the learner lacked confidence, was not able to take part in more formal tuition for whatever reason, encouraging learning by stealth when the subject matter was not directly appealing to the learner. 

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