At Translation Empire PK, we think that instruction should transform rather than merely inform. The Certified Training Professionals (CTP) program brought this vision to life as participants set out on a 12-day educational journey intended to empower, inspire, and challenge them. 

The immersive session, Foundations of Training & Adult Learning, which was redesigned using Malcolm Knowles’ andragogy principles, was one of the highlights. Under Nasir Malik’s guidance, the meeting developed into a community of colleagues dedicated to revolutionising adult learning, a playground of practice, and a laboratory of ideas. 

Breaking the Ice: Learning Through Play 

Puppet introductions, a light-hearted but impactful exercise, kicked off the session. Using a puppet, each participant gave a brief introduction that included their name, role, and interesting fact. As barriers vanished, the room erupted in laughter. More significantly, the group learnt their first adult learning truth: engagement is fuelled by emotions. 

Principles of Adult Learning in Action 

Instead of depending on definitions, Knowles’ andragogy was demonstrated through six short stories: 

• Need to Know: When asked why they enrolled in the program, participants’ responses such as “to inspire learners” and “to train my team better” helped to centre the discussion around a clear goal. 

• Self-Concept: The significance of autonomy and respect was emphasised by a participant’s story about how they changed a session in the middle. 

• Experience: Group discussions of previous training sessions demonstrated how lived narratives enhance subsequent education. 

• Readiness to Learn: Practical issues, such as misunderstandings at work, linked the material to the needs of the participants. 

• Orientation to Learning: A problem-solving exercise on team conflict highlighted how adults prefer practical, problem-centred approaches. 

• Motivation: Participants were reminded by thinking back on motivating trainers that engagement is driven by passion and genuineness rather than credentials. 

The main conclusion is that adult learners prefer relevance, respect, and introspection over passive lectures. 

From Theory to Practice 

Teams of participants created mini-training sessions based on these ideas. The outcomes were innovative and useful, covering everything from workplace hygiene to conflict resolution. The richness of applying theory to practical situations was made clear by debrief discussions, which highlighted which concepts were intuitive and which needed more deliberate work. 

It was particularly enlightening to see the difference between lecturing and facilitating. Participants got a firsthand look at both styles through a role-shifting exercise. Everyone agreed that facilitation is more memorable, empowering, and engaging. In the words of one participant, “A facilitator lights the fire; a lecturer fills the cup.” 

Scenario-Based Learning 

Participants worked through a case study from a textile company in Lahore that was experiencing low productivity as a result of inadequate communication in order to further ground the session. Teams created a 20-minute training schedule using Knowles’ ideas. Their solutions showed how adult learning theory directly translates into workplace impact, from role-playing conflict scenarios to connecting learning outcomes to production goals. 

Why This Matters 

Adult learning is the cornerstone of any successful training program; it is not merely theory. Without it, instructors run the risk of lecturing, meetings run the risk of becoming monologues, and students run the risk of losing interest. It transforms training by empowering participants to create sessions that honour adult autonomy, experience, and motivation. 

Final Reflections 

The takeaway at the end of the day was unmistakable: participants not only learned about adult learning, but had actually gone through it. The lesson exemplified andragogy through puppetry, games, role plays, and stories. Instead of leaving as passive participants, participants emerged as self-assured co-creators, prepared to infuse their own workshops with transformation, empowerment, and human connection. 

We at Translation Empire PK are pleased to back initiatives that raise the bar for professional training, such as the CTP. We are contributing to the development of the next generation of trainers; by fusing classic frameworks like Malcolm Knowles’ andragogy with real-world, hands-on facilitation.