Further Education

Senior Times

Although some may believe the adage "you can’t teach an old dog new tricks," many seniors across the country disagree. And they are proving it by pursuing further education, continuing to learn during their golden years, and reaping the benefits of life-long learning. Alison Kincaid reports.

According to the AONTAS, the Irish National Association of Adult Education, approximately 300,000 adults participate in education, either formally or informally, each year. This vast number includes 147,000 individuals taking night or evening classes, over 40,000 taking part in community education, 31,500 participating in literacy schemes, and almost 30,000 taking Post Leaving Cert Courses.

Catherine Delaney, a resident of Carlow, had a very positive experience returning to education as an adult. "Two years ago I had little or no knowledge of computers and now today, I have learned so much. I have gained the confidence that I thought I could never possess and it is something that I really enjoy doing. It’s never too late, even as an adult, to learn a new skill." (courtesy of AONTAS).

Many colleges, universities, and institutions have very flexible schedules, with popular courses being offered at several convenient times throughout the day and night. Individuals who are retired may wish to take daytime classes as this fits with their schedule. However if you lead an active life and pursue recreation or leisure during the day, there is still a wide variety and time availability of classes in the evenings and even on the weekends at some colleges.

If you are interested in taking classes at your local college, university, community college, or institution, you will have to contact the Office of Registration there to inquire about the class schedule, the cost, and other requirements. The typical registration process entails the following steps: checking enrolment prerequisites, selecting a course to take, registering for that course, and paying the necessary course fees.

In terms of paying for the class, it is possible that you may qualify for a senior discount and not have to pay full tuition. Certain colleges offer discounts under special circumstances. For instance, University College Dublin offers concessions of up to 50 per cent for unwaged students taking part-time classes offered through their Adult Education Centre, and Trinity College offers extramural courses. Check with your local college or university to inquire about the cost for the particular courses or programs you would like to take. You can also check with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to see if you qualify for a Back to Education Allowance that help cover part of the cost of returning to school.

Helpful Organisations

There are several organisations in Ireland designed to help adults and seniors who wish to return to school. The goal of AONTAS is to promote adult learning and the development of society through the provision of a comprehensive education system accessible to all.

On their website they have a list of many colleges, institutions, and universities across the country in which to enroll. The National Centre for Guidance in Education offers assistance to adults pursuing further education as well. You may also wish to consider contacting an Adult Education Organiser, who can assist you in planning and setting up your class registration. The Department of Education and Science publishes a Guide for Mature Students. There are also classes called "foundation courses," "access courses," or "return to learning courses" that are offered to help adults prepare for entry to third level education. Many universities have offices specifically designed for mature students to assist with the unique needs, goals, and situations of those students.

Returning to university to take classes may be too formal or involved for some individuals. There are also many other ways to continue to pursue education. Local libraries and community centres often offer courses on popular subjects anywhere from embroidery and flower arranging, to personal finance management, to learning to use computers, to dancing and exercise. These are sometimes shorter than a full college semester, which may be useful to those who do not want a long-term commitment, or are just interested in sampling different classes.

An Griann, a Centre for Lifelong Learning, and the oldest residential adult education college in Ireland, offers the perfect solution for those who want to learn something new, relax in a beautiful setting, and do not want to spend an entire semester in class. Located in County Louth, An Grianán offers weekly and weekend class breaks in over 200 courses such as Irish history and culture, calligraphy, art appreciation, yoga, painting, creative writing, home management, computers, gardening, politics, interior design, nature study, photography, and fitness.

Additionally, if commuting is difficult, you may wish to consider "distance learning." There are several institutions that cater to those who prefer to learn from home; the Open University of the UK specialises in distance learning, and has over 150,000 undergraduate students and over 30,000 postgraduate students. The National Distance Education Centre of Ireland, based in the Dublin City University campus, offers online classes with the opportunity to receive Irish University Qualification. Many other colleges and universities, such as Kilroy’s college, offer online classwork as well. Taking a distance learning class can involve online materials, video or audiocassettes, textbooks and other reading materials, written assignments, examinations, and personal tutors available either face-to-face or through email or telephone.

If you are interested in receiving vocational training or certification in order to find employment, there are also a variety of options. FAS is the Training & Employment Authority. They offer over 1000 classes, both day and night throughout the country, with online and part-time classes available as well. FAS seeks to further economic development by providing training to individuals to ensure that they find employment. There are also thirty-three Vocational Education Committees (VECs) throughout the country that work to create opportunities for life-long education by offering courses in career improvement, leisure, and self-development. Through the Dublin City VEC alone there are over 26,000 part-time adult students who attend their colleges, schools, and out-centres. For a list of VECs nation-wide, see the inset below.

In many colleges and universities in the United States, senior citizens are allowed to audit classes. Because they are not receiving academic credit for the class and are not working towards obtaining a degree, it is usually standard policy that they can sit in on lectures for free. By auditing a class as a non-matriculated student, they can be a casual observer, learn at their leisure, and not have to pay. Contact your local college or university to ask if you might be allowed to utilise this option.

Once you’ve decided to pursue further education, you have to decide what subjects to pursue. Decide what your goals are for returning to education: earning a degree or certification that you did not have the opportunity for before, learning something fun and new, becoming qualified for a different type of employment, brushing up on basic skills, or getting out there and meeting other seniors. Some of the most popular courses for seniors include those involving crafts and hobbies, such as art, cooking, photography, and gardening. Classes in history, politics, management, human services, public speaking, health and wellbeing, and literature are also much sought after. In recent years, trends have shown many more seniors are becoming interested in taking classes that teach how to use a computer, and how to access the Internet and email. By learning these valuable skills, seniors are able to gain independence, broaden their horizons, and keep in touch with loved ones.

Taking an interest in education can have a very profound effect on many areas of life. Classes allow you to learn something useful or fun, as well as meet new people with similar interests. Some seniors who have made learning a constant part of their life have reported improved morale, decreased loneliness, and more interest in the world around them. A recent U.S. study showed that participation in education, and in arts, music, painting, and literature in particular can actually improve both mental as well as physical wellbeing. Pursuing further education at this stage in your life can be a big transition, so talk to a family member, friend, or neighbour who has taken classes and ask about their experiences. Now go out and join the scores of seniors who are also pursuing education. After all, you’re never too old to learn something new!

According to a 2001 study done by the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the number of individuals who participated in some type of education or training in the last twelve months was 14 per cent of those aged 55-59, 9.2 per cent of those aged 60-64, and 4.8 percent of those over the age of 65.

For more information on getting started, contact the following:

Organisation Website
AONTAS: www.aontas.com
AEOA: www.aeoa.net
Department of Education and Science: www.education.ie
Department of Social and Family Affairs: www.welfare.ie
National Centre for Guidance in Education: www.ncge.ie
FAS: www.fas.ie
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