Deaf Adults and Post-Soviet Marriage Immigrant Adults: Common Needs for Different Approaches to Adult Learning.
Session Abstract
Deaf adults and post-Soviet marriage immigrants have something in common. Adult learning as a transition tool provides access and opportunity.
The presentation will highlight expressions of agency, discovering social networks, the need for a return to adult life task training and the expectations in adult learning these adults share.
Target Audience
The target audience includes anyone seeking to develop or enhance an understanding of cultural perspectives pertaining to deaf adults and post-Soviet marriage immigrants. We welcome adult educators including graduate students, those seeking tenure-track or adjunct teaching positions, current instructors or professors seeking tenure, independent scholars, continuing education or professional development practitioners, program managers, consultants and others.
Session Description
This session highlights recent findings from two Adult Education doctoral studies and shares findings leading to different approaches to adult learning and challenges the expectations of adult educators. Ballenger's doctoral study was unique in the fact that it relied solely on the voices of deaf adults to produce empirical data. An important finding in her study were the ratings of deaf experts on the importance of adult life tasks that are necessary in transitioning to adult life. Pavluscenco’s doctoral study shed light on the unique group of post-Soviet marriage immigrant women in the United States. The women’s personal stories of learning and adaptation in the new culture, who came to America from different post-Soviet territories through the help of international matchmaking agencies, were at the core of her research.
Hearing the voices of marginalized populations is impactful and calls for new expectations in postsecondary settings.
The common needs of both groups will be the main focus of the presentation, such as: adult educators as advocates, access to adult learning, and cultural perceptions. Achievements and issues of these groups will be shared with examples of capability, cultural similarities, and the importance of social networks and support in adult learning settings.