Self Esteem Confidence

Self-esteem, confidence and adult learning
Briefing Sheet
Kathryn James and Christine Nightingale

Part of a series of NIACE briefing sheets on mental health

Funded by

Self-esteem, confidence and adult learning
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) gives advice and support to providers on how best to record outcomes from learning, such as raised self-esteem and confidence; or making judgements about the validity and appropriateness of a bid to set up a new project that highlights the raising of self-esteem as one of it’s intended outcomes. This briefing sheet aims to give some pointers to help and assist in that process and how they relate to key LSC concerns of widening participation and raising standards and achievements. The briefing sheet looks at some definitions of self-esteem and confidence and how they might relate to adult learning. It will also look at how learning providers interpret the connection between self-esteem, confidence and adult learning, and how that interpretation is translated into provision and support. When providers seek to make an impact on self-esteem and confidence they will invariably want to capture and record those changes so finally, this briefing sheet will look at what are the most appropriate methods for doing that within a variety of learning situations. A search on the LSC’s website pulls up 29 references to self-esteem and 34 references to confidence. A more in-depth examination of those hits reveals statements such as

By working with organisations like the LSC you can benefit not just your company’s bottom line but the ability, confidence and self-esteem of the people who work for you 1 A lot of people who have come on a one hour taster course have found that they really enjoyed the experience and this has inspired and encouraged them to go on to further courses. We find people improve their self-confidence and self-esteem as well as skills such as literacy and numeracy once they have taken the plunge!2
In research

References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Cambridgeshire Learning and Skills Council (2004), Basic Skills in the Workplace www.lsc.gov.uk ‘Special Scheme Champions Learning in the Community’ (04.07.05) Posted on Herts LSC website 16.08.05. www.lsc.gov.uk/herts/Media/PressReleases/default.htm Preston, J. and Hammond, C. (2002), The Wider Benefits of Learning: Practitioners Views. Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning. Research Reports March 2002 Lloyd, R. and O’Sullivan, F. (2003), Measuring Soft Outcomes and Distance Travelled. A methodology for developing a guidance document. Department of Work and Pensions. McGivney, V. (1990), Education for Other People. NIACE. www.niace.org.uk 17 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. McGivney, V. (2001), Fixing or Changing the Pattern. NIACE. www.niace.org.uk Learning and Skills Council.(2003) Successful Participation for All: Widening Adult Participation Strategy, Eldred, J. et al. (2004). Catching Confidence. NIACE www.niace.org.uk ibid. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. (2004). Social Exclusion Report, Mental Health and Social Exclusion. ODPM. Adult Learning Inspectorate (2004). Making an impact on individuals and communities. Branden, N. (1994), Six Pillars of Self-esteem. The definitive work on self-esteem by the leading pioneer in the field. Bantam. Alexander, T. (2001), ‘Defining self-esteem. What is self-esteem and why does it matter? Self-esteem as an aid to understanding and recovery’. Mental Healthcare, Vol. 4, No 10, pp. 332-335 Mruk, C. (1999), Self-esteem research, theory and practice. Free Association Books. Eldred, J. (2002), Moving on with Confidence – Perceptions of success in Teaching and Learning in Adult Literacy. NIACE. www.niace.org.uk Norman, M. and Hyland, L. (2003), ‘The Role of Confidence in Lifelong Learning’. Educational Studies, Vol 29, No 2/3, pp. 264-270 Schuller, T. et al. (2002), Continuity and Change in Adult Life. The Centre for Research and the Wider Benefits of Learning. James, K. (2003), 2nd Evaluation of Nottingham Prescriptions for Learning Project, NIACE www.niace.org.uk ibid. Somerset Learning and Skills Council – Pilot studies. Mapping of Learning and Training from the Individual Perspectives (1) and individual learners’ histories (3) (Round 1, 2002). Report to LSC Somerset www.lsc.gov.uk Nightingale, C. (2005), Learning for Better Health. NIACE, University of Leicester and Leicester City Health Action Zone, not available for general circulation. Eldred, J. et al. (2004), Catching Confidence. NIACE www.niace.org.uk Nightingale, C. (2005), Learning for Better Health. NIACE, University of Leicester and Leicester City Health Action Zone, not available for general circulation. Community Service Volunteers, Avon ibid. Lindenfield, G. (1995), Self Esteem, Thorsons. 18 NIACE 21 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Minicom: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Website: www.niace.org.uk Typeset and designed by Creative, Langbank. Printed in Great Britain by Colortech, Leicester © copyright 2005 National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (England and Wales) Company registration no. 2603322 Charity registration no. 1002775 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without the written permission of the publishers, save in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any license permitting copying issue by the Copyright Licensing Agency.