Author –  ABC Life Literacy Canada, a national charitable organization that champions literacy by empowering adult learners, raising awareness, and supporting the adult learning sector.

First posted on the ABC website on April 29, 2025.

Many adults come to adult literacy programs with fear, anxiety and self-doubt. Maybe they had a bad experience in school, or maybe life experiences took them away from learning, and they’re now returning to learning after many years. Whatever the reason, adult learners often carry emotional barriers that can get in the way of progress.

As adult educators, we’re not just teaching literacy skills—we’re also helping learners rebuild confidence. We outline some ways to support adult learners in overcoming learning anxiety and self-doubt.

1. Create a safe, welcoming environment

The first step is to make sure learners feel welcome, respected and safe. The classroom (or learning space) should be a place where mistakes are okay and no one feels judged. Learners should feel like they belong, no matter their background, skill level or past experiences.

Here are some ways to build a safe environment:

• Learn and use each learner’s name.
• Encourage group agreements about respect and support.
• Celebrate effort, not just success.
• Keep a calm, steady tone when giving feedback.

When learners feel safe and comfortable in the learning enviroment, they’re more likely to take risks and try new things.

2. Start with what learners already know

All adult learners have skills they bring to learning, some they may not even consider skills. They may be great at cooking, fixing things, managing a household or speaking multiple languages. Start with these strengths.

Ask learners about their everyday life:

• What are you good at?
• What tasks do you do each day?
• Where do you already use literacy skills?

Use real-life examples in lessons. Reading a recipe, writing a shopping list or filling out a form might feel more comfortable than jumping straight into a textbook. When learners see how their skills connect to what they’re learning, it helps them build confidence.

3. Go at their pace and let them lead

Everyone learns at their own pace. Some people need more time. Others may need to go over information a few times to feel comfortable. That’s okay.

Check in often and ask:

• How are you feeling about this?
• Do you want to try it again together?
• Would it help if we did this another way?

Let learners help guide their learning. Offer choices when possible, such as:

• Choosing what topic they want to work on
• Deciding how they want to practice (writing, speaking, role-play, etc.)
• Picking short-term goals

When learners have a say, they feel more in control of their learning, which builds confidence.

4. Break tasks into small, achievable steps

Big tasks can feel scary, so break them into smaller parts. For example, if the goal is to write a short letter, start with just writing a greeting. Then a sentence. Then a closing. Celebrate each step.

Use encouragements like:

• Let’s take it one step at a time.
• You did the first part—great job!
• Each step gets you closer.

Small wins lead to bigger ones. Each success helps to reduce anxiety and doubt.

5. Normalize struggles and celebrate progress

Let learners know that struggling is a normal part of learning. Share your own learning challenges if it feels appropriate—it can help learners feel less alone.

Point out progress often. You might say:

• Remember when this was hard? Look how far you’ve come.
• I can see your confidence growing.
• You tried something new—that takes courage!

Celebrating progress, no matter how small, helps replace self-doubt with pride.

6. Use encouraging language

The words we use matter. Encouragement can shift a learner’s mindset. To help overcome challenges and roadblocks, try:

• Let’s take another look together.
• You’re getting closer.
• That was a good try—let’s figure it out.

Use positive reinforcement often. Saying things like:

• You’re improving every day.
• I see how hard you’re working.
• I believe in you.

When learners hear this kind of positive support regularly, it can start to change the way they see themselves.

Final thoughts

Helping adult learners overcome anxiety and self-doubt takes time, patience and compassion. It’s about more than teaching literacy—it’s about rebuilding confidence, one step at a time.

As a literacy practitioner, you have the power to change someone’s story. When you show belief in your learners, they begin to believe in themselves. And that belief can open the door to learning, growth, and opportunity.