10 Simple Principles of Adult Learning

Adult learning is the process of continuing one’s education beyond traditional school years. It can take place independently or in formal settings such as trade schools, apprenticeships, or colleges and universities. It can also mean learning a new skill or exploring a topic out of personal interest. Most adults pursue education for self-improvement, to gain specific professional skills, or to expand their career opportunities.

When imagining the role of an educator, it’s easy to overlook adult education when you think about schools and learning. But understanding the theories, principles, and challenges of adult learning is essential for creating meaningful and effective educational experiences. Adult learning theory equips educators with the tools to support how adults learn best and to foster their personal and professional growth.

What Is Adult Learning Theory? 

In the 1980s, educator Malcolm Knowles popularized the principles of andragogy, the practice of teaching adults, and contrasted it with pedagogy, the practice of teaching children. The andragogy theory states that adult learners are vastly different from children in terms of their motivation, the relevancy of the education to their lives, and how they apply that education. In practice, adult learning emphasizes helping learners understand the purpose behind what they are doing, providing hands-on experiences, and offering minimal direct instruction to encourage independent problem-solving. Many adult learning theories developed out of Knowles’ work in the following decades, all with the specific goal to enhance teaching methods and experiences for adult learners. 

What Are Adult Learning Principles? 

Integrating these 10 principles of teaching adults into lesson planning helps ensure that content is tailored to their unique needs. Since educators often serve more as facilitators, these aspects are important reminders when building curriculum and expectations for adult learners: 

Adults Are Self-Directing

For many adults, self-directed learning happens naturally without anyone explaining it or suggesting it. Adult learners are more prone to plan, carry out, and evaluate their learning experiences without the help of others. When instructing adults, it’s important for learners to set goals, determine their educational or training needs, and implement a plan to enhance their own learning. 

Adults Learn by Doing

Many adults prefer not only to read or hear about subjects but to actively participate in projects and to take actions related to their learning. Project-based curriculum utilizes real-world scenarios and creates projects for students that they could encounter in a job in the future. Many adult learners find that this kind of learning is hugely beneficial for them as they apply what they have been taught to their careers, giving them direct access to seeing what they can do with their new knowledge.  

Adults Desire Relevance

While some enjoy learning as an end in itself, adult learners are more likely to engage in learning that has direct relevance to their lives. For example, a certification course aimed at job advancement should directly align with the learner’s current role or career aspirations.  

Adults Utilize Experience

Adults are shaped by their experiences, and the best learning comes from making sense of those experiences. Adult learners can greatly benefit from finding ways to get hands-on learning. Internships, job shadowing opportunities, projects, and other experiential learning opportunities can help them get a firmer grasp and be more excited about how what they learn can be applied to their interests and careers. 

Adults Process with Their Senses

Most adult learners don’t thrive as well in a lecture-style environment. Because neuroplasticity tends to decline with age, it is vital to engage multiple senses during instruction to enhance memory and comprehension. Learning practices need to incorporate audio, visual, reading and writing, kinesthetic, independent, and group techniques.  

Adults Appreciate Repetition

Repetition is essential for adult learning. Practicing new skills in a supportive environment fosters confidence and helps learners transfer those abilities into real-world applications. And the more they can practice a particular subject or skill, the better the chances are for mastery. 

Adults Guide Their Own Development

Utilizing dilemmas and situations to challenge an adult learner’s assumptions and principles helps them guide their own development. Adults can use critical thinking and questioning to evaluate their underlying beliefs and assumptions and learn from what they realize about themselves in the process.  

Adults Thrive with Goal Setting

Learners who have a specific career or personal goal in mind will have a better experience as they pursue their degree programs. For example, if a student wants to learn Spanish before a trip to Mexico, they might have a specific goal to be conversational by a certain date. Adult learners need these readiness goals because their learning is more in their own hands than younger learners. 

Adults Learn Differently Than Children

Children and adults learn in unique ways, so teaching methods should be tailored to suit adult learners. Adults draw on past experiences and existing knowledge to understand new concepts, rather than relying only on reading and memorization. They also benefit from problem-centered learning that relates to real-life situations and current challenges, making the material more meaningful and practical.

Adults Require Ownership

With a more nuanced and advanced hierarchy of needs, adult learners place more value on intrinsic motivation and personal ownership of their learning. It's important to give adults internal motivation by recognizing their success and promoting increased self-esteem and confidence.  

Why Are Adult Learning Theories Important? 

For educators and educational institutions, being informed about the many challenges and theories behind effectively educating adults will only strengthen student outcomes and success. Children and adults learn in fundamentally different ways, necessitating distinct teaching strategies that cater to adult learners' needs. Effective learning for adults often depends on relevance, autonomy, and opportunities for real-world application—making experiential learning a powerful approach that deepens understanding, increases engagement, and supports long-term retention.

These strategies often lead to transformative learning, where adults develop new perspectives. And for adult learners getting ready to pursue higher education, knowing your learning style, understanding the strengths and weaknesses adult learners may have, and preparing for your individual strengths will also help you be successful.   

Challenges of Adult Learning 

Understanding adult learning theory also means recognizing the common barriers adult learners face. Learning new skills or studying new subjects as an adult can be challenging for many reasons, most notably: 

• Lack of time: Many adults juggle full-time jobs, parenting responsibilities, and care for other dependents, leaving little room for academic pursuits. These demands can make it challenging to find consistent time for studying, attending classes, or completing assignments. For this reason, flexible learning formats such as online courses or self-paced programs are especially helpful for adult learners managing busy schedules.

• Self-doubt: Many adult learners feel they are too old to return to school or that their chance has passed. This can lead to hesitation, low confidence, and fear of failure. But education is valuable at any age, and learners with 5 or 50 years left in the workforce still deserve the opportunity to pursue their passions and build meaningful careers. Lifelong learning can boost both professional growth and personal confidence.

• Neuroplasticity: The human brain has neuroplasticity, the ability to form and reorganize neural connections, which supports learning and adaptation. This ability is stronger in younger people, making it easier for them to absorb new information and adjust to change. As we age, plasticity decreases, which can make it harder for adults to learn new concepts or adapt to unfamiliar environments. Still, these challenges aren't insurmountable. With strategies like repetition, multisensory learning, and practical application, adults can continue to build new skills and knowledge effectively.

• Financial barriers: Younger learners often receive support from parents or family to help cover the cost of higher education. Adult learners, however, are usually financially independent and may be supporting a family or managing debt. Expenses like tuition, textbooks, and time away from work can create significant strain, making it harder to pursue a degree. Access to financial aid, employer assistance, and choosing a competency-based, online program are just a few ways to make it easier.

• Contradiction: Some of what adult learners encounter in their education journey may challenge or contradict their prior knowledge or beliefs. Embracing these shifts in worldview, opinions, or understanding requires openness and mental flexibility. This process can be uncomfortable at times, but it often leads to deeper learning and personal growth.

• Lack of support: Earning a degree without a strong support system can feel overwhelming, especially for adult students balancing multiple responsibilities. Many may discover they lack the emotional or social support needed to manage the challenges of coursework and academic demands. In these cases, seeking out new networks—such as peer communities, mentors, or academic advisors—can be essential to staying motivated and resilient.

Despite these challenges, adult learners often bring determination, focus, and a strong sense of purpose to their education. Recognizing these obstacles is the first step in creating programs and support systems that help them thrive. Institutions that offer flexible schedules, mentorship, mental health resources, and financial guidance can make a meaningful difference. By addressing these learning needs, educators empower adult learners to overcome barriers and succeed in both their personal and professional lives.

Ready to Learn More?  

There are many great reasons to become an adult learner. With low, flat-rate tuition and a competency-based education model, WGU offers the support and flexibility needed to earn a degree at your own pace and comfort level. 

Interested in teaching adult learners? Check out WGU’s online education degree programs. Whether you’re looking to begin a career in education or to further your expertise, WGU’s teaching degrees provide the knowledge to step confidently into the classroom in any of the 50 states.