Definitions of adult learning vary, but it is usually defined as all forms of learning undertaken by adults after having left initial education and training, however far this process may have gone.
Education and training are important factors for achieving the strategy objectives of raising economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion. However, with some exceptions, the process of implementing education and training remains weak. Most education and training systems are still largely focused on the education and training of young people and limited progress has been made in changing systems to mirror the need for learning throughout the lifespan.
An additional 4 million adults would need to participate in lifelong learning. Recent research confirms the importance of investing in adult learning. The research on adults indicates that those who engage in learning are healthier, with a consequent reduction in healthcare costs.
The big economic challenge in Europe is to raise its growth and employment performance while preserving social cohesion(凝聚力). The rapid progress in other regions of the world shows the importance of creative, advanced and quality education and training as key factors of economic competitiveness. General levels of competence must increase, both to meet the needs of the labour market and to allow citizens to function well in today's society.
Europe is facing big demographic(人口的) changes that will have a major impact on society and on the economy and consequently on education and training provision and needs. Over the next 30 years, the number of younger Europeans will fall by 15%. One in three Europeans will be over 60 years old, and about one in ten will be over 80.
Given the challenges identified above, raising the overall level of skills of the adult population by offering more and better learning opportunities throughout adult life is important for both efficiency and equity reasons. Not only does lifelong learning help make adults more efficient workers and more active citizens, it also contributes to their personal well-being.
【小题1】Which can replace the underlined word “implementing” in paragraph 2?| A．Carrying out. |
| B．Taking in. |
| C．Knowing about. |
| D．Looking over. |
| A．Adults have reduced healthcare costs. |
| B．Learning is good for adults’ health. |
| C．Few adults need to receive learning. |
| D．More research will focus on learning. |
| A．Europeans are not healthy. |
| B．Many old Europeans have died. |
| C．The European population is aging. |
| D．Young Europeans are out of work. |
| A．Lifelong learning is essential. |
| B．Raising adult population is significant. |
| C．We should help more efficient workers. |
| D．Work contributes to personal well-being. |
