Dr. Jane Vella devoted her life to creating and developing the Dialogue Education ™ approach to adult education. Dr. Vella received her understanding on the adult learning principles from her more than 50 years experience as an educator in many countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. She also used the principle of Dialogue Education in her doctoral research at the University of Massachusetts and wrote several popular books on this subject. She founded Global Learning Partners (GLP) to develop a network of practitioners of Dialogue Education approach (Core Group 2012). The Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach book is written about principles and practical steps of Dialogue Education approach. It describes twelve principles for effective …show more content…
Vella mentions in the preface, “this book is for all who are concerned about the current educational challenge (xv). I find myself in the both groups, adult learners and teachers of adults. The main idea that I can derive from the book is that dialogue is better than monologue in any adult education setting. Several concepts from the book are particularly relevant to my ministry context, for example Needs Assessment principle (57). I find “Hutchinson’s WWW principle: who needs what as defined by whom” (8) to be very useful when conducting the needs assessment in the beginning of the learning process.
It is also very interesting to observe how Praxis, which means “action with reflection” (14), interconnects with Immediacy (161) and Engagement (203) principles. Praxis is a vital principle for effective adult learning, as Dr. Vella stated that “engaged learners do learning tasks using new content and then do further learning tasks to reflect on what they have completed” (115). I see the parallel between the Praxis principle and the Disciple Cycle training model, derived from the ministry of Jesus and His interactions with His disciples. This cycle consist of three parts, such as hear the Word, respond actively, and debrief. We’ve been using this approach in the discipleship making process within the churches I am working with. Nevertheless, I did not think of “action with reflection” concept outside of discipleship context; so I realize now how Praxis principle can help