Table of Contents
Who participates in an LLI?
How are LLI programs structured?
What previous education do you need to join an LLI?
What kinds of courses are offered at an LLI?
Do you stay overnight at an LLI?
How often do classes meet?
How old do you have to be to join an LLI?
Who administers an LLI?
Do LLIs have tests, homework and grades?
Do LLI members pay dues?
Who leads the classes?
Do LLIs communicate with each other?
Who sponsors an LLI?
Why should a college sponsor an LLI?
Why is the Learning in Retirement movement so successful?

Who participates in an LLI?
People who love to learn in the company of their peers will enjoy participating in an LLI. Members are local people who commute to the program and participate regularly year after year, thus getting to know one another as friends, co-volunteers and as classmates.

How are LLI programs structured?
An LLI program is structured like a typical college program, with regular semesters.

What previous education do you need to join an LLI?
LLIs encourage participation without regard to previous levels of formal education.

What kinds of courses are offered at an LLI?
LLI courses offer the older learner an enormous array of subjects covering a wide variety of topics. A Curriculum Committee, made up of volunteer LLI members, decides on each semesters offerings based on input from the members.

Do you stay overnight at an LLI?
No overnight stay is involved; the participants are all commuters.

How often do classes meet?
Each LLI sets its own schedule. Some meet weekly, others biweekly, and some classes are only one session long.

How old do you have to be to join an LLI?
In some LLIs, you must be 50 to be eligible, while in other LLIs there may be no age requirement at all. Whatever their ages, LLI members share their enthusiasm for knowledge in an educational community of older learners.

Who administers an LLI?
Members typically volunteer their time to provide administrative leadership. Some LLIs may enjoy the help of an academic liaison provided by the college. Other LLIs hire a staff person to run their office.

Do LLIs have tests, homework and grades?
LLIs do not administer tests but some courses call for preparatory reading or research. LLIs provide unique non-credit academic programs; learning for the sheer joy of learning.

Do LLI members pay dues?
Each LLI sets their own dues based on their particular needs. All LLIs endeavor to keep their dues as low as possible.

Who leads the classes?
Classes can be peer-led (individual members), faculty-led (college faculty), or led by outside experts. Some LLIs use just one type of leader all the time, others a combination. Each LLI makes its own decision as to how classes should be conducted.

Do LLIs communicate with each other?
LLIs affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network share a variety of resources in the area of curriculum development, membership recruitment and organizational governance. Newsletters, conferences and workshops are used to exchange ideas and experiences among LLIs.

Who sponsors an LLI?
A college or university in the community usually sponsors an LLI.

Why should a college sponsor an LLI?
LLI members are valuable resources to the college. They may provide volunteer services, help with fundraising, mentor younger students, provide new focus for faculty and help with legislative issues of interest to the college.

Why is the Learning in Retirement movement so successful?
The Learning in Retirement movement is successful because older adults care about education. They are intense, self-motivated learners, and they define their own educational experiences and enthusiasms. The Movement fosters and capitalizes on these strengths, empowering older people to continue learning, to expand their horizons and to enhance their personal development.