Training Adult Educators in Western Europe

This book is a comparative study of systems for preparing adult educators in the major European countries. It provides reference material on funding, provision and cultural orientation in the Benelux countries, France and the Mediterranean, the German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Eire. Traditionally, there has been little formal preparation and no teaching certificate required for teaching adults. Subject knowledge, enthusiasm and common sense have been considered the important qualifications. The contributors to this book argue that although this approach has helped avoid the development of a closed profession, training has often been minimal and teaching of variable quality. As the European socio-economic community takes shape and the opportunities and requirements for adult learning increase - particularly in business and language skills - it is becoming clear that there needs to be more Europe-wide specialist training and evaluation in teaching and management skills. This book should be of interest to professionals and students in the fields of adult and comparative education.