Start a Conversation, Open a Door:
A Two-Way Path to Learning
A Two-Way Path to Learning
A learner reaches out online, calls, or walks into a CALP office or class. They might feel unsure, nervous, or wonder if they belong.
Even a simple conversation—asking about their interests, goals, or what brought them here—can make a big difference. Small moments of curiosity and listening often become the first step toward opening doors for learners.
“When we talk, we open doors; when we listen, we build bridges.” — Eugene Cho
Building Bridges with Tools and Resources
Once a conversation sparks interest, learners benefit from practical tools that help them explore their next steps.
Online learning platforms—such as the Foundational Adult Learning Portal (FALP)—offer a safe, accessible way for learners to assess their skills, build confidence, and take action. For some, FALP may be the first step toward reconnecting with learning; for others, it complements in-person support and helps maintain momentum.
Practitioners can use FALP in many ways: with learners in person, as a bridge for those on waitlists, or as a starting point for learners who feel hesitant about joining a class or working with a tutor. Online learning can also extend what happens in person, keeping learning alive between sessions.
Even learners we might not expect to engage online can surprise us. Often, it begins with a simple question: “Would you like to try an online tool or resource to explore this further?”
The real impact of online tools and resources like FALP shines through in practitioner and learner experiences. These stories highlight how digital learning can support connection, confidence, and growth across ages and skill levels.
A practitioner shared:
“I liked that the option of listening with audio was available. This is useful for learners whose literacy skills are not strong.”
Another practitioner added:
“I used FALP with my 86-year-old learner who is working on basic digital skills. He loved how he could read or listen to the information on the website and assessments. He said, ‘This is such a great thing for old fellas like me.’ He found the visuals and symbols easy to understand.”
These examples show how online resources can make learning more accessible and inclusive—helping practitioners meet learners where they are.
A learner reflected:
“I’ve always hated math... but FALP has made me feel hopeful and less anxious about going back to school. I’m so grateful this resource exists.”
Stories like these remind us that when learning feels approachable and supportive, doors open—often in ways we don’t expect.
The Two-Way Door
The two-way door is a pathway that lets learners move freely—between online and in-person learning, and across programs, tools, and resources. It recognizes that learning isn’t always linear. Some learners may begin online and later connect with a CALP, while others may start in-person and transition to independent learning online.
At the heart of the two-way door is conversation. By asking, listening, and understanding learner goals, practitioners can guide learners toward the next step that fits them best—whether that means trying an online assessment, joining a class, meeting with a tutor, or exploring a module on their own.
The idea for the two-way door came to me one quiet afternoon near the end of my summer holidays, as I was thinking about work starting up again. I was walking along a coulee path in beautiful Medicine Hat, Alberta—no phone, no music, just time and space in nature to think. What Simon Sinek calls a “forced boredom walk.”
As I walked and reflected on the work I do, I began to envision the idea of a two-way door—where online and in-person learning are not separate doorways, but two sides of the same door that learners can move through in either direction. Some may start online and later connect with a CALP, while others begin in-person and then explore online learning as a way to extend their growth—toward independence, confidence, and autonomy.
What matters most is that the door opens to connection, curiosity, and understanding—not judgment or assumptions.
Recently, I re-watched the Introduction to CALP video, which reminded me of the powerful message that “any door is the right door.” This core message resonated deeply with my vision, and I realized it could go further: any door is the right door and doors don’t have to open just one way. This insight became the foundation for the two-way door—a way of seeing learning as fluid, flexible, and truly learner-centered.
The Foundational Adult Learning Portal (FALP) is one example of a tool/resource that helps practitioners and learners explore next steps together. It supports pathways, builds confidence, and makes learning flexible and accessible—fitting into the real lives of adult learners.
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Start Today
Today’s learners can benefit from both online learning options and in-person support—sometimes a blend of the two. The two-way door reminds us that technology is not the opposite of connection—it’s a bridge to it. The digital world provides access, and human connection gives learners the confidence and support to step through—no matter the direction. Every learner’s path is unique, and it all begins with a conversation: ask, listen, guide—and watch doors open both ways.
Ask and Listen | Offer Options | Encourage Small Steps |
| Take time to understand each learner’s goals, challenges, and interests. | Share different ways to learn—online, in-person, or a blend of both. | Even simple actions, like trying an assessment (with support or independently), can build confidence and spark motivation. |
