To wonder if I'm stupid or is the trainer just a bit rubbish?

[fairysquid]

Currently on a training course with work, learning about a subject that I have no prior knowledge of. Admittedly I'm not a trainer and have never delivered any training courses in my life so I don't really know what's right or wrong. I'm not a fast learner which I did explain to the trainer before we started the work. I really struggle with understanding certain questions or paragraphs with lots of information. I will read the text but the information just seems to go in one ear and out the other, it's as if my brain can't really process the information no matter how many times I read it, but if someone breaks it down for me explains it that way I do understand. Does that make sense? I had the same issue in school and college. I'm not talking about EVERY single question or paragraph that I come across. I find that some questions are worded in a really strange way as well which doesn't help, almost like a trick question.

The trainer is nice but all she does is read from a booklet that we all have, which I could do myself as I can read and write just fine. She doesn't seem to break anything down for us or go through things point by point to give us a better understanding. We're just expected to process all this information. There is around 15 of us in the group and no one else has mentioned anything or seems to be struggling that I know of so it's making me wonder if it's just me, am I dumb or could she deliver the training a different, better way?

I doubt that you need to diagnose yourself with a learning difficulty over this. I’d zone out very quickly if someone was trying to train me by reading from a booklet- I’ve endured quite a few sessions like this in teacher INSET where the delivery was at best dutiful.
Asking for examples is a good idea, also write stuff down, re-read the booklet…If it’s online are there slides you can look at afterwards or is there a recording, or can you make one…? I’m not suggesting you stress about it though; I’d try not to.

In my experience just because no one else is asking questions, doesn't mean they all understand. Don't assume that it's only you who is struggling. They're probably relieved that someone is saying they don't understand as it saves them from asking. People like you who are prepared to say something are very useful for the whole class.

The trainer is being paid to educate you. You are being paid to be educated. You both have a responsibility in the process. If you don't understand, ask. And then ask again. If you get embarrassed, speak to her in the break. Her saying no one else has found it difficult is a not true. Don't be fobbed off or embarrassed by that. She should be the one who is embarrassed by saying that.

It doesn't matter if everyone else gets it or not, the trainer is supposed to be helping everyone through the course, not just some of them.

It sounds awful, I don't think this can be considered training at all if they just make you read a leaflet and answer questions on it. I don't know anything about your subject and I could do a better job than that!

I'm like you, I need some ideas broken down into chunks and I sometimes find questions in, for example, learning comprehensions look like trick questions too. Someone just reading something out loud all day would be torture. She's a terrible trainer and you shouldn't feel bad about asking for help, she should feel bad about training you so poorly!

I’m sorry you’re struggling. Honestly people guessing it’s the trainer or you don’t have enough info to decide that.

As a pp said, no one asking questions doesn’t mean they understand, you need to judge that more from any interactions. You need to even message a few and ask how they are finding it.

It could be it’s not just uou, or I’m sorry, it could be it is just you.

How old are you, and when you last had to learn how did you cope? Were you in line with the rest of the group or did you struggle then too?

@UnsuitableHat

I doubt that you need to diagnose yourself with a learning difficulty over this. I’d zone out very quickly if someone was trying to train me by reading from a booklet- I’ve endured quite a few sessions like this in teacher INSET where the delivery was at best dutiful. Asking for examples is a good idea, also write stuff down, re-read the booklet…If it’s online are there slides you can look at afterwards or is there a recording, or can you make one…? I’m not suggesting you stress about it though; I’d try not to.

But the OP said she had the same issue in school and college, so it’s not just this badly-delivered course.

Actually yes she did say she had the same issue at school or college, so yes unlikely to be just this trainer but possibly their delivery method doesn’t help. It seems the op has always had this issue.

I would definitely ask for examples, I have done this myself, often just asking to break to ice for others. So, 'where it says this, (specifics) will you please 1) give an example, or 2) explain how you would best deal with the situation'
Even if it's something you have got to grips with, it might make it easier for you and others to ask similar questions, or make observations going forward.

Of course we can decide the trainer's poor Bluntless. If they're just reading out from a leaflet and getting snippy about questions, they're poor. Whether or not the OP has specific difficulties is immaterial if she could learn more effectively with a decently presented course.

Of course we can decide the trainer's poor

Agreed. A good trainer will have a number of training techniques in their “tool box” and a strategy for students of different abilities. If they haven’t got those skills you may as well deliver a digital / online package and save the money.

Don't ever feel bad about asking questions OP, it's always best to question and ask for examples if you are unsure
I doubt very much you are the only one struggling
I would put comments on the evaluation sheet too, it may help them so they can adjust their training module

There is no point to the trainer if she'd just reading out the booklet. Could you ask her before a session if she could break the information down a bit more and give some examples as you are struggling a bit with it?

Do make sure you report this back to your employer and to the training company.
That trainer is poor quality. It sounds as if she has never actually done the work that she is training you for.

If she had done it she would give anecdotes about which aspects were particularly useful or not.