I appreciate learning the most when I come to it myself and it has an obvious purpose for me.  I also like to set my own goals and work at my own pace.  I can identify completely with these aspects of Androgogy.  The five assumptions and four principles rang true as I was doing the reading for this week.  I was happy to note that I employ most of these principles in my instructional design already but now I know why!

Earlier this year I took a trip to South Korea for a cultural experience and to practice ....... Taekwondo!  I wanted to read a couple Korean authors before the trip but mostly I wanted to learn some of the language.  I downloaded a free app available through my local library (Yay libraries!) called "Mango Languages".  I loved it.  I imagined myself meeting the people, being able to say, "Hello" and "Thank you", "Where's the bathroom?", casually commenting on the weather, and complimenting the food.  All important things for travel I believed.  Success!  I could do all of these things, but really not much more.  

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Most Korean people speak at least a little English so I probably didn't need to bother learning at all but I like to think maybe they appreciated my efforts.  One sweet little old man selling crafts at the market smiled, bowed, and gifted me a hand made ring when he spoke to me in Korean and I replied back in Korean with, "I speak a very little Korean but I cannot understand it well."   Who knew that tiny conversation could make for such a happy exchange.

The principle I identify most with this learning scenario is this one:  "Adults are most interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their job or personal life."   

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I was able to put my new knowledge to immediate personal use.

An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo!  (Good-bye!)