Factors that contribute to adult learners' persistence in basic literacy programs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal factors that contribute to persistence of adult learners in basic literacy programs. A qualitative research methodology was chosen as the design of this study; 18 participants from 4 different public education centers were interviewed about individual, institutional, and external factors influencing their learning and helping them persist in the course. Female participants over 18-year-old and who completed Level-I Literacy courses and currently enrolled in Level-II Literacy courses were selected to understand factors affecting their persistence. Content analysis was conducted to analyze the interview data. As a result of this study, personal drives to participate and perception of having student role were found as individual factors contributing to persistence. Under institutional factors, sense of belonging and characteristics of adult education trainer were found as factors helping persistence of adult learners in basic literacy programs. Verbal support, people as student’s guardian, and facilitation found to have a positive impact on persistence of adult learners as external factors. This study has a practical value that it may give insight to adult educators to understand who illiterate adult people are and how they can be supported through participating and persisting in the basic literacy programs. In addition to its practical value, this study may provide significant contribution to both national and international literature for with its conceptual framework, because there is a lack of research specific to persistence in basic literacy education.