Third Age Learning at Kwantlen continues to empower lifelong learners
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, TALK offers courses to support continued education for adults over 50
Courses offered this fall include topics such as history, culture, ecology, and health among others. (File photo)
Third Age Learning at Kwantlen (TALK) has returned this fall to provide lifelong learning opportunities to adults aged 50 and over at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
The program offers short, informative sessions with courses available online or in-person at KPU’s Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale campuses with no quizzes, grading, or prerequisites.
Courses offered this fall include topics such as history, culture, ecology, and health among others, with many presented by KPU instructors.
“We do try to get … either current KPU instructors or retired ones, and we feel that’s a really good source of information, as opposed to what people might get on social media or other places about topics of interest,” TALK Program Chair Jean Garnett says.
Though the courses are designed for adults over 50, Garnett says students and KPU staff can join the sessions for free if spots are available.
“There’s always space available in the online ones. They just have to double-check with a facilitator, who is listed in the brochure, to see if there is space in the ones that are on campus,” Garnett says. “I think if it’s a topic they’re interested in, then why wouldn’t they come and find out more about it?”
Some of the courses include “Challenges to the Future of Democracy in Canada,” offered online on Oct. 25 from 10:00 to 11:30 am. The registration deadline is Oct. 22.
The course, facilitated by Rose Marie Borutski, will feature Conrad King, a political science instructor at KPU, discussing how populism and intergenerational political cultures affect people’s understanding of electoral politics.
King will also provide insights about the future of democracy in Canada in relation to the results of the B.C. provincial election and the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
The course “Small Space Gardening” will take place on Nov. 25 from 10:00 to 11:50 am
at the Richmond campus. The registration deadline is Nov. 21.
Lynda Pasacreta, president of the Richmond Garden Club and BC Council of Garden Clubs, will join facilitator Gerry Boretta to discuss tips on successful plant growing in apartments, including learning about choosing the right plant and reading seed packets.
Those interested in policing in B.C. can register for “How Policing is Changing” with Galib Bhayani, a KPU criminology instructor and the former chief of police for the City and District of North Vancouver.
Facilitated by Sonya Furst, Bhayani will reveal the challenges police face today as society’s expectations evolve, and what police leaders need to shift their focus towards. The course will take place on Dec. 6 from 10:00 to 11:50 am at the Surrey campus. The registration deadline is Dec. 3.
Garnett says KPU is designated as an age-friendly university, and one of the goals is to provide intergenerational learning.
“It’s great to have young students sitting with older students and communicating and sharing experiences.”
In addition to the sessions, TALK offers public “Philosophers’ Corner” conversations, where a presenter will provide a 10-minute speech on a selected topic and pose some questions. Participants can then share their thoughts and ideas.
“Philosophers’ Corner” takes place at Richmond’s Wisteria Place, Surrey’s Crescent Gardens, and the City of Langley Library. There is a drop-in fee of $5 for the Richmond sessions, which includes a drink and snack, and a donation of $2 for the Surrey session, with an optional fee of $20 for lunch.
Some of the upcoming discussion topics include “How do we define what it means to be a good citizen?” on Oct. 24 in Langley, “Did God invent man, or did man invent God?” on Nov. 7 in Richmond, and “What purpose does marriage serve in today’s world?” on Dec. 5, also in Richmond.
Garnett says the benefits of lifelong learning include maintaining an active mind and body and keeping strong social connections.
“I would like to encourage students to tell their parents and their grandparents about TALK,” she says. “They should encourage their elders to continue their own personal lifelong learning, get out, meet people, and learn new things.”
Course registration takes place through the Amilia platform, where people can create an account and find the courses they are interested in, categorized by location. Course registration fee varies from $15 to $20 with a required annual membership fee of $10.
The membership year runs from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 and can be purchased when registering for courses. There is also a gift-card option available. Registration and TALK memberships are not required for “Philosophers’ Corner” discussions.
For more information, visit www.kpu.ca/talk.
