Adult education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self-educating activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. It encompasses any form of learning adults engage in beyond traditional schooling, from basic literacy to personal fulfillment as a lifelong learner. Adult education reflects a specific philosophy about learning and teaching based on the assumption that adults can and want to learn, that they are able and willing to take responsibility for the learning, and that the learning itself should respond to their needs.

Adult education differs from educating children in several ways given that adults have accumulated knowledge and work experience which can add to the learning experience. Most adult education is voluntary, therefore, the participants are generally self-motivated, unless required to participate by an employer. The primary purpose of adult education is to provide a second chance for those who are poor in society or who have lost access to education for other reasons in order to achieve social justice and equal access to education. Therefore, adult education is often a social policy of the government.

Adult education can take many forms, including independent study, broadcast programs, correspondence courses, group discussion, and full- or part-time study in classes or courses. Types of adult education can be classified as follows: basic education, adult literacy, vocational education and training, continuing education, and lifelong learning. Adult education can help individuals earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE), connect to employment and job training opportunities, transition to post-secondary education, and become proficient in English.