AAACE 2021 Annual Conference

immigrant mothers, adult learner, transformative learning

The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of Chinese immigrant mothers overcoming the challenges through adult learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting transformative learning theories and 20 in-depth interviews, this paper examines how Chinese immigrant mothers understand their experience in Canada and the USA during the pandemic. 

During the Covid-19, immigrant mothers as adult learners are disproportionately impacted in their life and work by the pandemic overall. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of Chinese immigrant mothers in Canada and the US overcoming the challenges through adult learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper adopts the transformative learning theory as theoretical framework, which, as an important component of adult learning theory,, emphasized the expansion of consciousness through which an individual can critically reflect on their personal experiences and feelings (Mezirow, 2009). Based on this theoretical framework and 20 in-depth interviews, this paper aims to understand how Chinese immigrant mothers as adult learners understand their experience during these uncertainties and at the same time, reorient their self-consciousness and self-directed learning skills in the new normal. This session contributes to the theory of adult learners and transformative learning theory. It diversifies adult learners’ experience, identity, and knowledge, and highlights the transformative learning experience among Chinese immigrant mothers can greatly interact with women of color while facing uncertainties in their everyday lives. It has implications on social service, medical programs, schools, and adult educational programs for immigrant mothers. The session will last for 15 minutes.