Advising the Adult Learner: The Teacher's Role It is often the teacher to whom the adult learner first turns for advice on issues ranging from educational and vocational options to employment, family, health, emotional, and legal issues. Do you know when to provide guidance and advice and when to refer learners to professional counselors and other available community services? In this workshop, you will explore the advantages and limitations of the teacher’s role as advisor, discuss community resources, and identify strategies for listening and responding to student needs. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES Goal The goal of this workshop is to help adult education teachers understand the nature of student advisement and enhance their knowledge and skills to be effective student advisers. Objectives By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: Identify characteristics of the adult learner; Identify challenges/issues facing the adult learner; Describe the various advisement/counseling needs of the adult learner, including educational, vocational, and personal; Explain the responsibilities as well as the limitations of the classroom teacher related to learner advisement; Discuss confidentiality issues and the Adult Privacy Act; Use effective listening skills; Identify community resources that can meet learners’ needs; and Make appropriate referrals to counselors and community human service agencies.