Adult education courses
Have you ever taken or considered taking an adult education course? Why or why not?
City Hall now has control of London’s share of the Adult Education Budget (AEB), which is over £300 million and funds education and training for adults aged 19 and older.
The AEB funds basic skills qualifications, including English, maths and English for speakers of other languages; in addition, the budget subsidises courses and learning opportunities across a range of other focuses, such as: foreign-languages; sports; business; or creative courses like writing or art.
Have you ever taken or considered taking an adult education course? Why or why not? What do you think are the main benefits of taking an adult education course? If you have already been on a course, how did it benefit you?
Tell us in the discussion below. To tell us what kind of courses you’d be interested in, join our other discussion.
The discussion ran from 02 March 2020 - 02 June 2020
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Community Member 5 years agoI have had difficulty finding convenient location and time for courses, at the level I need to study (in this case Arabic). I have seen courses canceled or the prices go up dramatically so I look elsewhere. So far have had 3 teachers at 2...
Show full commentI have had difficulty finding convenient location and time for courses, at the level I need to study (in this case Arabic). I have seen courses canceled or the prices go up dramatically so I look elsewhere. So far have had 3 teachers at 2 institutions followed by a private arrangement, over a period of less than 3 years. I had never heard of the scheme that the survey mentioned.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 5 years agoI've just had difficulty finding a Spanish course that suits my availability and budget within the borough I live in (RB Kingston). I have found one in the neighbouring borough of RB Richmond at about £100 cheaper. There needs to be equal...
Show full commentI've just had difficulty finding a Spanish course that suits my availability and budget within the borough I live in (RB Kingston). I have found one in the neighbouring borough of RB Richmond at about £100 cheaper. There needs to be equal opportunities throughout London, particularly for courses that could help lead to employment.
Show less of commentBuildcouncilho…
Community Member 5 years agoNo evening courses in my area anymore! I am a carer in the day time so need evening study courses. Inhibitive course costs even for just hobby courses. We need 'mature student courses' as some colleges exclude older students due to so...
Show full commentNo evening courses in my area anymore! I am a carer in the day time so need evening study courses. Inhibitive course costs even for just hobby courses. We need 'mature student courses' as some colleges exclude older students due to so oversubscribed with younger students.
Show less of commenttuppence
Community Member 5 years agoI have taken courses in spanish and embroidery in the past and more recently Tai Chi but found all the paperwork on the last course, for objectives etc was over the top.
I studied for a masters with the OU and have since completed some...
Show full commentI have taken courses in spanish and embroidery in the past and more recently Tai Chi but found all the paperwork on the last course, for objectives etc was over the top.
I studied for a masters with the OU and have since completed some future learn courses.
Recently I have found the U3A and its brand of mutual education is great. I think some of the budget should be applied to assisting OU students and providing discounted use of public facilities to the U3A
Show less of commentSwisspilot43
Community Member 5 years agoOne thing i have always believed in is continued education especially in my professional field.
So If city hall have the overall control of the budget then i would hope that the possibilities are good for funding and finding appropriate...
Show full commentOne thing i have always believed in is continued education especially in my professional field.
So If city hall have the overall control of the budget then i would hope that the possibilities are good for funding and finding appropriate educational courses.
Show less of commentSab
Community Member 5 years agoIm interested in courses which lead to certifications that employers recognise to improve my job prospects/opportunities.
Show full commentIm interested in courses which lead to certifications that employers recognise to improve my job prospects/opportunities.
Show less of commentGuyTaylor
Community Member 5 years agoThinking about art courses in the future. Maybe something in the music space, learning to play an instrument. Cooking skills are always welcome.
Show full commentThinking about art courses in the future. Maybe something in the music space, learning to play an instrument. Cooking skills are always welcome.
Show less of commentCatCo
Community Member 5 years agoI'm thinking of taking a couple of courses in Spanish and IT over the upcoming year. The only barrier to me actually taking the courses is the time: a normal full-time job wouldn't leave much time for anything else on the best day, and once...
Show full commentI'm thinking of taking a couple of courses in Spanish and IT over the upcoming year. The only barrier to me actually taking the courses is the time: a normal full-time job wouldn't leave much time for anything else on the best day, and once you consider that 40-hour contracts are on the verge of extinction and 48-hours contracts are in fact 60-hour contracts, that leaves you no free time at all.
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