Lifelong Learning Book Series – serie

This work is a critique, from an ethical perspective, of contemporary trends in lifelong learning policy and management. It focuses attention on 21 trends, each represented by a fable that is drawn from the experience of a stake-holder. The trends have been selected as exemplifying common responses to contemporary cultural change. They are drawn from a number of different countries and across educational sectors: higher, adult and vocational education and post-compulsory schooling. Each fable is explained, examined and grounded in scholarship on educational change and applied ethics through an accompanying account. The work is directed to educational policy makers and managers. It has been designed for use as a resource in advanced under-graduate and post-graduate professional development programs in educational policy, leadership, change, change management, justice and ethics. Its unique use of fables, accompanying accounts and background theory allows readers to engage with the text at different levels

This work is a critique, from an ethical perspective, of contemporary trends in lifelong learning policy and management. It focuses attention on 21 trends, each represented by a fable that is drawn from the experience of a stake-holder. The trends have been selected as exemplifying common responses to contemporary cultural change. They are drawn from a number of different countries and across educational sectors: higher, adult and vocational education and post-compulsory schooling. Each fable is explained, examined and grounded in scholarship on educational change and applied ethics through an accompanying account. The work is directed to educational policy makers and managers. It has been designed for use as a resource in advanced under-graduate and post-graduate professional development programs in educational policy, leadership, change, change management, justice and ethics. Its unique use of fables, accompanying accounts and background theory allows readers to engage with the text at different levels

This work is a critique, from an ethical perspective, of contemporary trends in lifelong learning policy and management. It focuses attention on 21 trends, each represented by a fable that is drawn from the experience of a stake-holder. The trends have been selected as exemplifying common responses to contemporary cultural change. They are drawn from a number of different countries and across educational sectors: higher, adult and vocational education and post-compulsory schooling. Each fable is explained, examined and grounded in scholarship on educational change and applied ethics through an accompanying account. The work is directed to educational policy makers and managers. It has been designed for use as a resource in advanced under-graduate and post-graduate professional development programs in educational policy, leadership, change, change management, justice and ethics. Its unique use of fables, accompanying accounts and background theory allows readers to engage with the text at different levels

This book is based on the work of a European partnership, whose members came together from Belgium England Finland Germany Portugal and Greece with the support of funding from the EU Socrates Programme. Our goal was to work collaboratively to generate new ways of thinking about the situation of people aged between 14 and 25 who are at risk of (or experiencing) social exclusion, set in the context of a unique international analysis of policies, contexts and perspectives on the problems of social exclusion in Europe and the challenges of promoting lifelong learning among those who have rejected it early in life. We set out to examine programmes which help people to RE-ENTER pathways of education and training, but ended with approaches which are better characterised by their ability to RECONNECT people, not only to opportunities in the social structures but also to each other and to their communities We have developed new models and guidelines based on analysis of the best of European practice using the distinctive approaches of 'situated learning'. By an iterative and collaborative method of working, we have arrived at the concept and approaches of Learning Communities Centred on Practice (LCPs), which lie at the heart of this volume.

Lifelong learning is a key feature of society today, and is apparently embraced by a wide range of educators and trainers, as well as by governments and employers. In this wide-ranging book, Sue Jackson shows that universities have been slow to embrace a lifelong learning agenda, and argues that the lifelong learning experiences of women – and especially of working-class students – are seldom welcomed in the academy. In its unique considerations of the experiences of women students and academics, this book expounds an innovative and critical analysis of women in higher education. It will give a clear indication of alternative strategies for learners, teachers and policy makers.This book will be of key interest to anyone working in the fields of lifelong learning or continuing education who is interested in making learning accessible and meaningful for disadvantaged groups. It will also appeal to students of education, women's studies, gender studies and sociology; and to those interested in issues of gender, social class, feminist theory and feminist research.

Why we are the “other women” This book recognizes a reality, our reality, that of the “other women”. Why are we the “other women”? Because we are women who, given the fact that we have not had the chance to obtain an academic education, were silenced and have remained outside of the spaces for public debate about women. This exclusion is worse if we are immigrants or belong to an ethnic minority. Those of us who are housewives, domestic workers or factory workers, because we do not have academic degrees, do not have spaces in which our voices can be heard, where we can say what we want. At times women whose voices are heard, because they have been able to go to university or have been leaders in the feminist movement, speak for all of the other women who have not been able to get a formal education, without asking us what it is we really want or think. Through our participation in educational and cultural centers and associations, many of us have formed associations and women’s groups. In this way, we are creating spaces where we can discuss issues that we are concerned about: solidarity among women, demands for better widows’ pensions, exploitation of domestic workers, etc. And we are organizing ourselves to get our voices, demands and opinions about these issues out there into the public debate.

In many countries, schools, universities and other traditional learning institutions are not providing for the educational needs of all members of the community. In many communities, particularly in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas, there are only limited options for people to undertake learning. Limited participation in learning has the danger of reinforcing people’s alienation from mainstream education and from participation and inclusion in social institutions and economic and community life more generally. This book addresses the challenge of identifying effective ways of accommodating the learning needs of all people and in so doing achieving the goals of lifelong learning for all.

In these complex and challenging times, students, teachers and employers are all interested in the development of generic abilities as these typically make the difference between good and indifferent employees, successful and unsuccessful learners. This book explains why generic capacities have become so important and argues that the process of acquiring them is both lifelong and developmental. By using case studies and theoretical analyses the authors collectively provide a comprehensive and contemporary coverage of the issues concerning generic abilities. Traps to avoid in describing and assessing generic aspects of learning are indicated, as well as practical suggestions for improving the teaching of generic capacities in vocational and university settings. The views of students transitioning to higher education as well as recent graduates are captured. Curriculum and policy matters are discussed in depth. A framework for lifelong learning encapsulating the development of generic capacities is outlined and the relationships between learning, working and leadership are explored.

For too long, theories and practices of learning have been dominated by the requirements of formal learning. Quite simply this book seeks to persuade readers through philosophical argument and empirically grounded examples that the balance should be shifted back towards the informal. These arguments and examples are taken from informal learning in very diverse situations, such as in leisure activities, as a preparation for and as part of work, and as a means of surviving undesirable circumstances like dead-end jobs and incarceration. Informal learning can be fruitfully thought of as developing the capacity to make context sensitive judgments during ongoing practical involvements of a variety of kinds. Such involvements are necessarily indeterminate and opportunistic. Hence there is a major challenge to policy makers in shifting the balance towards informal learning without destroying the very things that are desirable about informal learning and indeed learning in general. The book has implications therefore for formal learning too and the way that teaching might proceed within formally constituted educational institutions such as schools and colleges.

This text explores the different ways in which the various social practices in which people participate becomes signed as learning, how and why that occurs and with what consequences. It takes seriously the linguistic turn in social theory to draw upon semiotics and poststructuralism through which to explore the significance of lifelong learning as an emerging discourse in education. The text explores the different ways in which learning conveys meaning and is given meaning. Given this, lifelong learning therefore is a way, and a significant way, in which learning is fashioned. The text then explores the notion that, if learning is lifelong and lifewide, what precisely is learning as distinct from other social practices and how those practices are given meaning as learning.

CONCEPTUALISING CHALLENGES AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION 1 2 3 Pamela Cotterill , Sue Jackson and Gayle Letherby 1 2 3 Staffordshire University; Birkeck, University of London; University of Plymouth INTRODUCTION Despite the historical tradition of academia as a male space (Evans, 1995; Abbott et al, 2005; Stanley, 1997; Letherby, 2003) it is possible to argue that the expansion of higher education in the 1980s and 1990s benefited women more than it did men. By 1995 there were two and a half times more women in the academy than in 1970/1 (Abbott et al 2005), and in the decade to follow the numbers of women undergraduate students had overtaken men with a substantial minority of these being older, non-standard entrants. Furthermore, as Paula J Caplan (1997: 3) argues: Visions of the academic life draw us women toward it, picturing an intellectual community whose members search with passion and integrity for Truth and Knowledge. We imagine that in academia we shall find freedom from bias, freedom from worldly struggles of power and wealth, freedom to choose what to study and what to say, and an environment characterized by tolerance and openness, where everyone’s energy is focused on the open exploration of ideas. However, whilst this may be the vision for some women, it is important not to view this widening of female participation in higher education through ‘rose tinted glasses’.

The aim of this book is to provide an easily accessible, practical yet scholarly source of information about the international concern for the nature, theory and practices of the ideas of values education and lifelong learning. Each chapter in this book is written in an accessible style by an international expert in the field. Authors tackle the task of identifying, analysing and addressing the key problems, topics and issues relevant to questions about the nature, purpose and scope of values education and Lifelong Learning that are internationally generalisable and, in times of rapid change, of enduring interest to the scholar and practitioner. Authors explore the ways and means by which learners may be encouraged to become educated and grow, both as individual beings and social agents, throughout the whole of their lifespan. The book seeks to provide accounts and critical appraisal of some of the different principles, philosophies, theories, beliefs, traditions and cultures that might form the basis of, frame and furnish the setting for values education policies and programs. We look at some of the main theories behind versions of value in lifelong learning and we point to some of the key concepts and categories at work in such theories. We provide reference to and accounts of some examples of policies or proposals in various national contexts and a range of examples of good practice in policies, programs and curriculum schemes from different schools, school systems and other educating agencies, institutions and organisations around the world.

The aim of this book is provide an easily accessible, practical yet scholarly source of information about the international concern for the philosophy, theory, categories and concepts of lifelong learning. The books is concerned to examine in depth the range of philosophical perspectives in the field of lifelong learning theory, policy, practice and applied scholarship, extending the scale and scope of the substantive contribution made by philosophical and theoretical approaches to our understanding of education. The book seeks to make an informed contribution to shaping, expanding and deepening people’s understanding the direction of future developments in educational institutions of all kinds preparing for, providing and delivering lifelong learning in all kinds of formal informal and alternative education institutions, agencies and organizations, and their various approaches, policies, practices and processes in the twenty-first century.

most studies aimed at improving learning focus on the instructor and the parameters of the learning environment, rather than the learner. On the other hand it was felt that ibstpi’s interest was too focused on the online learner and that broader qu- tions needed to be asked, placing the learner in the context of a hugely complex learning landscape that is only partially determined by the formal education context and deliberate processes of learning. Based on the above consideration, and while inspired by ibstpi’s initiative, the Learning Development Institute proposed to run a dedicated workshop in conju- tion with a Presidential Panel Session to be hosted by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) at its annual convention in October 2005 in Orlando, Florida. This brought together ten individuals who initially started collaborating online. The majority of them then met face to face in Orlando at the workshop. They subsequently shared their ideas with the wider audience of attendees at the Presidential Panel Session that followed the next day. And they then took another two years to reflect further on the issues that had emerged, producing the chapters of this book.

For too long, theories and practices of learning have been dominated by the requirements of formal learning. Quite simply this book seeks to persuade readers through philosophical argument and empirically grounded examples that the balance should be shifted back towards the informal. These arguments and examples are taken from informal learning in very diverse situations, such as in leisure activities, as a preparation for and as part of work, and as a means of surviving undesirable circumstances like dead-end jobs and incarceration. Informal learning can be fruitfully thought of as developing the capacity to make context sensitive judgments during ongoing practical involvements of a variety of kinds. Such involvements are necessarily indeterminate and opportunistic. Hence there is a major challenge to policy makers in shifting the balance towards informal learning without destroying the very things that are desirable about informal learning and indeed learning in general. The book has implications therefore for formal learning too and the way that teaching might proceed within formally constituted educational institutions such as schools and colleges.

Active citizenship is an objective of schooling in an increasingly complex context, in which social cohesion of the multicultural society is a cause for growing societal concern. International co-operation between European countries and a growing heterogeneity of the (school) populations of most European countries have led to an increased interest in education for citizenship. The core question dealt with pertains to the role that schools can play in developing citizenship through formal and informal learning.Day-to-day school life is seen as a rich environment in which aspects of functioning in a democratic society and dynamic interplay with rules, leadership and peers with different backgrounds are experienced and form a source of learning. In this view the school context functions as a micro-cosmos to exercise “school citizenship” as a bridge to societal citizenship and state citizenship. The book brings together material from Cyprus, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Romania and The Netherlands.

The concept of individual responsibility has taken on a signi?cance comparable to that of ‘choice’ in the global rise of neo-liberalism of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The rise of neo-liberalism is most often analysed through the lenses of theory, governmentality and societal structures. There has been a tendency for an- ysis to become overly abstract with the subjective experiences of the social actors missing dimensions in the literature. This book draws on more than 20 years of international research that has focused on the subjective experiences of people as actors in changing social landscapes. These landscapes are differently positioned politically, economically and socially, in relation to the rise of neo-liberalism. Comparisons enable the differences in people’s experiences to be located, explored and explained in relation to different soc- economic landscapes, thus throwing into relief the effects of neo-liberal policies where they are found. My approach is to create an extended dialogue between ideas and evidence, starting close to home, and then extending to speci?c international comparisons and to wider explorations of the central themes of the book: human agency and social responsibility. Finally, I return to social landscapes of Britain, to review the position and potential for social change in societies that exemplify what Sennett has termed ‘Anglo-American regimes’, in contrast to ‘Rhine regimes’ as exempli?ed by Germany.

This book discusses the current state of the art in research on the education and learning of adults, and how such research has been transformed through contemporary policy and research practices. Gathering contributions from leading experts in the field, the book draws on previous research, as well as new findings in order to provide a map of this research field and its contemporary history. The chapters address a number of questions, including: What constitutes this research field? What theories and methodologies dominate within the field? What “invisible colleges” are active in shaping this academic field, in marking out its contours and in transforming its contemporary battle zones? Who is publishing in the field and who is deemed worth citing? What is the relationship between the shift in state policy on adult education and the research that is conducted on the education and learning of adults? How has the research field changed over time in various western countries? What do these meta-reflections of the field tell us about possible future research endeavours? Rather than speaking from within the field, this is a book about the research field. The diversity of the chapters provide a fascinating resource for anyone interested in research on the education and learning of adults.

An important backdrop to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals involves consideration of the impact of a ‘new demographics’ derived from the interaction of two global developments. First, high levels of internal and cross-border mass migration, stimulated by climate change, violence and disparities in wealth and social stability within and between different countries and the global South and North. Second, the phenomenon of increasing longevity and rapidly ageing populations, especially in the developed world. This book explores the central role that socially engaged higher education might potentially play in helping address these challenges, enhancing lifelong learning opportunities and facilitating more positive outcomes for both individuals and societies. The contributors to this book are scholars of higher education and lifelong learning based in twelve countries from Europe (Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom),the Americas (Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the USA), Japan, Australia and New Zealand. “This is an extremely timely and important collection focusing on growing migrationand an increase in ageing populations, two major social trends that researchers in highereducation often overlook. The multi-level analysis of the role that higher education canplay, together with the contributions from 12 countries in the North and South makethis one of the most outstanding collections on these themes.” Rajani Naidoo, Director, International Centre for HE Management, University of Bath. “Auguste Comte famously observed that demography is destiny. This superb volumeexamines the powerful impact of two global demographic trends, and the vital roleuniversities can play in responding to them. The book describes a range of innovativeand pragmatic responses, while deepening our understanding of why serving thesepopulations it so important for the health of our communities and our democracies.”Matthew Hartley, Professor and Associate Dean, GSE, University of Pennsylvania. “The powerful synergy of the longevity revolution and the technology revolutionnecessitates a corresponding education revolution. It is clear that the educationalassets acquired in youth and early adulthood no longer provide sufficient currencyfor longer, big change impacted lives. This timely book examines the benefits of creatingan inclusive, rights-based culture of learning at every stage of life.” Alexandre Kalache, Co-President, International Longevity Centre (ILC) Global Alliance and ILC Brazil. “How can we understand the current dynamics of migrations and demographic trendsto adapt HE access policies accordingly? By bringing together empirical research indifferent countries, this book offers an essential insight on this very sensitive issuefor both individuals and their societies. A must read for researchers and policy makers.”Gaële Goastellec, Professor of Sociology, University of Lausanne, Chair of the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers. “The contributions cover an admirably wide range of countries, shedding different lights on these common themes. The book sets a challenging and informed agenda which policy-makers and institutional leaders would do well to take seriously.”Tom Schuller, Formerly Head of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, OECD.

An important backdrop to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals involves consideration of the impact of a ‘new demographics’ derived from the interaction of two global developments. First, high levels of internal and cross-border mass migration, stimulated by climate change, violence and disparities in wealth and social stability within and between different countries and the global South and North. Second, the phenomenon of increasing longevity and rapidly ageing populations, especially in the developed world. This book explores the central role that socially engaged higher education might potentially play in helping address these challenges, enhancing lifelong learning opportunities and facilitating more positive outcomes for both individuals and societies. The contributors to this book are scholars of higher education and lifelong learning based in twelve countries from Europe (Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom),the Americas (Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the USA), Japan, Australia and New Zealand. “This is an extremely timely and important collection focusing on growing migrationand an increase in ageing populations, two major social trends that researchers in highereducation often overlook. The multi-level analysis of the role that higher education canplay, together with the contributions from 12 countries in the North and South makethis one of the most outstanding collections on these themes.” Rajani Naidoo, Director, International Centre for HE Management, University of Bath. “Auguste Comte famously observed that demography is destiny. This superb volumeexamines the powerful impact of two global demographic trends, and the vital roleuniversities can play in responding to them. The book describes a range of innovativeand pragmatic responses, while deepening our understanding of why serving thesepopulations it so important for the health of our communities and our democracies.”Matthew Hartley, Professor and Associate Dean, GSE, University of Pennsylvania. “The powerful synergy of the longevity revolution and the technology revolutionnecessitates a corresponding education revolution. It is clear that the educationalassets acquired in youth and early adulthood no longer provide sufficient currencyfor longer, big change impacted lives. This timely book examines the benefits of creatingan inclusive, rights-based culture of learning at every stage of life.” Alexandre Kalache, Co-President, International Longevity Centre (ILC) Global Alliance and ILC Brazil. “How can we understand the current dynamics of migrations and demographic trendsto adapt HE access policies accordingly? By bringing together empirical research indifferent countries, this book offers an essential insight on this very sensitive issuefor both individuals and their societies. A must read for researchers and policy makers.”Gaële Goastellec, Professor of Sociology, University of Lausanne, Chair of the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers. “The contributions cover an admirably wide range of countries, shedding different lights on these common themes. The book sets a challenging and informed agenda which policy-makers and institutional leaders would do well to take seriously.”Tom Schuller, Formerly Head of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, OECD.

This open access book sheds light on a range of complex interdependencies between adult education, young adults in vulnerable situations and active citizenship. Adult education has been increasingly recognized as a means to engage and re-engage young adults and facilitate their life chances and social inclusion thus contributing to an active citizenship within their societal contexts. This collection of chapters dealing with issues of social inclusion of young people represents the first book to explicitly approach the complex interdependencies between adult education, young adults in vulnerable situations and active citizenship from the European perspective. Social exclusion, disengagement and disaffection of young adults have been among the most significant concerns faced by EU member states over the last decade. It has been increasingly recognised by a range of stakeholders that there is a growing number of young people suffering from the various effects of the unstable social, economic and political situations affecting Europe and its neighbouring countries. Young adults who experience different degrees of vulnerability are especially at risk of being excluded and marginalised.  Engaging young adults  through adult education has been strongly related to addressing the specific needs and requirements that would facilitate their participation in social, economic and civic/political life in their country contexts. Fostering the active citizenship of young people, both directly and indirectly, is an area where many AE programmes overlap, and this has become a core approach to integration.This book considers social, economic and political dimensions of active citizenship, encompassing the development of social competences and social capital, civic and political participation and the skills related to the economy and labour market. The cross-national consideration of the notions of vulnerability, inclusion and active citizenship  underpins the complexity of translating these concepts into the national contexts of adult education  programmes.

This book presents a collection of chapters—both empirical and conceptual—that challenge existing paradigms of learning and teaching, provides examples of pedagogical spaces and practices that nurture future-oriented learners, explicates identities and transitions in learning, and offers alternative frames for moving forward.Educational structures have proven remarkably resilient. More often than not, pedagogical designs still privilege the lecture-tutorial format, front-end loading and the positioning of the ‘teacher’ as expert. In a similar vein, pedagogical spaces tend to privilege the formal educational institution and its discourses, rather than productively engage with naturally-occurring learning spaces at work and in communities.To better prepare and support learners for dynamically changing futures, we need to truly flip the lens from teaching to learning, positioning at the core, the learner in contexts where learning and becoming occurs. This means considering what counts as a future-oriented learner and educator, recognising the importance of evolving identities, transitions and pathways that facilitates the processes of being and becoming. Equally important is the design and appropriation of pedagogical spaces and practices that are in themselves dynamic and future-oriented. This book questions the current delineation between the spaces of work, learning and communities.

This book presents a collection of chapters—both empirical and conceptual—that challenge existing paradigms of learning and teaching, provides examples of pedagogical spaces and practices that nurture future-oriented learners, explicates identities and transitions in learning, and offers alternative frames for moving forward.Educational structures have proven remarkably resilient. More often than not, pedagogical designs still privilege the lecture-tutorial format, front-end loading and the positioning of the ‘teacher’ as expert. In a similar vein, pedagogical spaces tend to privilege the formal educational institution and its discourses, rather than productively engage with naturally-occurring learning spaces at work and in communities.To better prepare and support learners for dynamically changing futures, we need to truly flip the lens from teaching to learning, positioning at the core, the learner in contexts where learning and becoming occurs. This means considering what counts as a future-oriented learner and educator, recognising the importance of evolving identities, transitions and pathways that facilitates the processes of being and becoming. Equally important is the design and appropriation of pedagogical spaces and practices that are in themselves dynamic and future-oriented. This book questions the current delineation between the spaces of work, learning and communities.

This volume provides an in-depth analysis of historical and recent developments of senior learning in Taiwan, where publications in English have been scant. It takes a broader view on lifelong learning and active ageing from a theoretical/conceptual base written by prominent international authors- this represents the ‘outside in’ perspective. The ‘inside out’ on the other hand signifies an in-depth investigation of initiatives written by authors from Taiwan who are closely involved with developments in policy and practice.The volume is situated theoretically in the intersection of complementary concepts such as lifelong learning, active ageing, later life learning, learning communities and social movements. It is located geographically and culturally in East Asia where senior learning/education is expanding in response to large populations of older adults and concerns about their physical and social well-being. It is argued that Taiwan is leading the way in terms of innovation and community engagement in regard to older adult learning/education and can thus serve as a model for neighboring countries. By analyzing historical precedents, cultural dynamics, policy trends, research sub-fields and community engagement this book is of interest to both East Asian and Western scholars, practitioners, policy-makers and students amongst the fields of lifelong learning, social gerontology and educational psychology.

This volume provides an in-depth analysis of historical and recent developments of senior learning in Taiwan, where publications in English have been scant. It takes a broader view on lifelong learning and active ageing from a theoretical/conceptual base written by prominent international authors- this represents the ‘outside in’ perspective. The ‘inside out’ on the other hand signifies an in-depth investigation of initiatives written by authors from Taiwan who are closely involved with developments in policy and practice.The volume is situated theoretically in the intersection of complementary concepts such as lifelong learning, active ageing, later life learning, learning communities and social movements. It is located geographically and culturally in East Asia where senior learning/education is expanding in response to large populations of older adults and concerns about their physical and social well-being. It is argued that Taiwan is leading the way in terms of innovation and community engagement in regard to older adult learning/education and can thus serve as a model for neighboring countries. By analyzing historical precedents, cultural dynamics, policy trends, research sub-fields and community engagement this book is of interest to both East Asian and Western scholars, practitioners, policy-makers and students amongst the fields of lifelong learning, social gerontology and educational psychology.

This book explores cross-international experiences in the field of adult English language teaching and learning, using cross-cultural dialogues to hear voices from different countries and different settings – formal, informal and non-formal – discussing how their lifelong learning has or is still in the process of helping them to change their lives. The book addresses two major questions: (1) How do adults learn languages and transform themselves through learning? (2) How do authorities and societies build capacity for sustainable language development? It will be of interest to researchers, policymakers and adult language teachers, concerned with diverse aspects of teaching and learning English as lingua franca for enhancing the public good internationally.The book draws on the way in which the Western paradigm of lifelong learning was applied by an international team of inspired professionals to English language education in the Tempus project “Lifelong Language Learning University Centre Network for New Career Opportunities and Personal Development (UNICO)”. This project was  undertaken by eleven universities in three countries: the Siberian Federal District of the Russian Federation, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with the Charles University in Prague, the Institute of  Education from the University College London, and the University of Córdoba in Spain.

This book explores cross-international experiences in the field of adult English language teaching and learning, using cross-cultural dialogues to hear voices from different countries and different settings – formal, informal and non-formal – discussing how their lifelong learning has or is still in the process of helping them to change their lives. The book addresses two major questions: (1) How do adults learn languages and transform themselves through learning? (2) How do authorities and societies build capacity for sustainable language development? It will be of interest to researchers, policymakers and adult language teachers, concerned with diverse aspects of teaching and learning English as lingua franca for enhancing the public good internationally.The book draws on the way in which the Western paradigm of lifelong learning was applied by an international team of inspired professionals to English language education in the Tempus project “Lifelong Language Learning University Centre Network for New Career Opportunities and Personal Development (UNICO)”. This project was  undertaken by eleven universities in three countries: the Siberian Federal District of the Russian Federation, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with the Charles University in Prague, the Institute of  Education from the University College London, and the University of Córdoba in Spain.

This book explores 'why some people experience post-traumatic growth leading to greater wisdom and others do not’ and suggests that a critical variable is how one copes with that trauma: individuals who actively reflect on their experiences of trauma should develop higher levels of self-transcendent wisdom. This same dynamic has been shown both in research studies of post-traumatic growth and by therapists working with people who have experienced trauma, but these two bodies of work have rarely been brought into direct conversation with each other. In this volume, wisdom researchers and therapists with direct experience with trauma survivors comment on each other’s ideas about how coping with adversity can lead to wisdom, and how their proposed models of developing wisdom incorporate the act of coping with a stressful or traumatic event. Based on a synthetic integration of the recommendations in each chapter, the book concludes with the introduction of a new conceptual framework that can better help even individuals who experience significant stressors in their life to cope well and develop wisdom that will be both theoretically robust and practically useful.

This book explores 'why some people experience post-traumatic growth leading to greater wisdom and others do not’ and suggests that a critical variable is how one copes with that trauma: individuals who actively reflect on their experiences of trauma should develop higher levels of self-transcendent wisdom. This same dynamic has been shown both in research studies of post-traumatic growth and by therapists working with people who have experienced trauma, but these two bodies of work have rarely been brought into direct conversation with each other. In this volume, wisdom researchers and therapists with direct experience with trauma survivors comment on each other’s ideas about how coping with adversity can lead to wisdom, and how their proposed models of developing wisdom incorporate the act of coping with a stressful or traumatic event. Based on a synthetic integration of the recommendations in each chapter, the book concludes with the introduction of a new conceptual framework that can better help even individuals who experience significant stressors in their life to cope well and develop wisdom that will be both theoretically robust and practically useful.