1. I have 2 adept builders, 1 adept farmer and 1 adept scientist. I put the chief with the builders to speed up the hut. When I check the "details", none of the skill bars (that are set for the individual villager) seem to have moved. It's been like this for over an hour. Is there a better way to move things along? The scientist has been making potion after potion.

2. Just a quick question. Do the villagers gain skill points after the lectures by the chief? All I seem to see is the villagers raise their hands and the children do a little spin and then sit.

An hour isn't very long for adept builders to show noticeable skill improvement, depending upon how far toward master they already were. You can see more about how villagers gain skills in this answer in our Support FAQ.

The children will gain skill from the special once-a-day lectures that the chief can give, but the general lectures that involve all the villagers are just for fun.

I have been repairing my huts for days and have not improved at all beyond adept help what else can I do, does gathering fire wood for my fire improve construction? Is there anything?

Yup; there's lots. It's too bad they don't have a union! Keep going!

I don't think gathering firewood helps gain skill but exercise does.