Trends and prospects for educational development of adults in Germany

In the article, the authors have analyzed the modern adult education system in Germany. The authors have provided several definitions of the following notions: «adult education», «further education», «lifelong education». German pedagogy and the legal system have posted these definitions. The concept of adult education covers all organizational forms of adult education. The adult education system in Germany has a complex and branched structure. The structure of adult education is generalized: formal adult education (vocational education and general education); non-formal adult education (seminars, individual or group courses, lectures and meetings); informal education (self-education and self-development). Regional adult learning centers, private and commercial adult education institutions, adult education institutes and associations operate in Germany. The tasks of adult education institutions in Germany are the following: expanding the network of adult education institutions; extension of the idea of continuing education; development of innovative concepts of education; use of educational programs for adults in different educational institutions; integration of adult education into the training of modern specialists from different fields; control over the quality and effectiveness of adult education. The trends and prospects for adult education in Germany are: increasing participation in European adult education programs; training of appropriate skilled personnel; recognition of different types of education; compatibility of adult education at the national and European levels; participation of large organizations and enterprises in the development of adult education; involving people in lifelong learning; fight against social exclusion; popularization of «Network Education», sub-institutional and transnational cooperation; recognition of all types of educational activities.