The Martin County Library Adult Literacy Services Tutor Training Program

Welcome This module will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. Each slide has an audio component. Click on the audio icon. There are practice items included within the presentation. The answers are provided on the following slides. Press the arrow down button to go forward in the presentation. Please complete the pre-test before beginning the training. Please complete the post-test after the training. Please complete the survey to help us improve.

Pre-Test Please complete the pre-test at this time.

Our Goal Our goal is to examine strengths and weaknesses in tutoring practices by demonstrating an understanding of the adult learner and factors that may affect learning.

Who Are Our Students? The students we serve come from all walks of life and from all over the world. The following slides will present who our adult students are and how we can best serve them.

The Adult Learner  brings a lifetime of experience  probably literate in their first language  may speak many languages  will drop in/drop out of classes  volunteer to be in class too  want lessons to be relevant to their lives

Acronyms Commonly Used  ABE- Adult Basic Education  CASAS- Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System  EFL- Educational Functioning Level  ESL- English as a Second Language  ESOL- English for Speakers of Other Languages  FLDOE- Florida Department of Education  GED- General Educational Development  LCP- Language Completion Points  TABE- Test of Adult Basic Education

Literacy Defined   the ability to read and write  one is considered to be functionally literate if they can read at a sixth grade level

Types of Literacy  prose literacy- news stories, brochures, instructions  document literacy- applications, payroll, maps, labels, schedules  quantitative literacy- balancing a checkbook, figuring out a tip, determining amounts, completing order forms

What is Illiteracy?  Illiteracy is the inability to read and write, either because of lack of education, or because of learning difficulties or other intellectual impairments.

Illiteracy Rates Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Institute of Literacy Research Date:

Adult Literacy Services Available  Self-Directed Computer Lab library web page lists websites for tutors and students  Conversation Circles informal group sessions for adult English Learners meeting days are Tues & Thurs 10-11:30 a.m. in Indiantown

Adult Literacy Services Classes  Small Group- 2-5 people led by volunteers  Golden Gate Cassidy Center- English classes, GED preparation, and citizenship classes on Tues & Wed from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Hobe Sound Library-English class on Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m.  one-on-one tutoring

Adult Literacy Services  Martin County Jail GED prep & testing, literacy, ESL, career counseling & financial aid assistance  Work Place Literacy Sand Piper Cove - Resident volunteers teach staff reading, writing, & conversation  U.S. Citizenship Classes Robert Morgade Library- Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.

Test Your Progress 1.What is the illiteracy rate for Florida? 2.What is the illiteracy rate for Martin County? 3.What is the illiteracy rate for the United States?

Answers 1.What is the illiteracy rate for Florida? 20% 2.What is the illiteracy rate for Martin County? 11% 3.What is the illiteracy rate for the United States? 15%

Working With Others Students come from very different backgrounds. Considering individual differences is an important component in understanding the adult learner.

What is Culture?  Culture refers to a set of values, practices, traditions, or beliefs a group shares, whether due to age, race or ethnicity, religion, or gender. “Birds of a feather flock together”

How Culture Affects Us beliefsvaluesperceptionsexpectationsattitudesassumptions

statusgender rolesappearance traditions body language/gestures eye contact interruptingtime asking questions/saying you don’t understand making mistakes/correction taboo topics directness in conversations What Can Be Culturally Different ?

Test Your Progress Which of the following behaviors are universal? a.directness in conversation b.eye contact c.being on time d.none of the above

Answer The correct answer is d. You should assume that most behaviors are not universal. In some cultures being vague, not direct, is expected in conversations. Looking someone directly in the eye is a sign of disrespect to some. Being on time also differs among cultures. Getting to know the people you work with will help you understand differences between cultural groups.

Situation Check Irene is a volunteer who works with Rungrat, an English student, from Thailand. Irene shows Rungrat she is impressed with her progress by using a typical American hand-gesture that means good job. Rungrat becomes upset. Irene learns that certain hand gestures are considered offensive in other parts of the world. Which of the following hand gestures could be considered offensive? a.the thumbs up sign b.the okay sign c.middle finger out d.all of the above e.none of the above

Answer The correct answer is d. Hand gestures vary depending on where you are in the world. Many gestures that we would consider as being positive or polite in the United States are considered offensive. For instance, thumbs up usually means good job or I like. In Iraq, Iran, and Thailand it is considered obscene. The okay sign that Americans use is considered insulting in France and Brazil. The middle finger pointing out is considered an insult in the United States but is used as the pointing finger in some places in India and Brazil.

Cultural Lenses & Transference  Culture is learned.  Transference is automatic and well established by age 5.  Culture effects behavior and is expressed in different ways.  Culture should be respected not judged.

Our Cultural Lens  we all wear them  source of most cultural misunderstandings  exist without us paying attention to how these perceptions shape our reality  makes us project our view of the world onto others  creates feelings of superiority/inferiority  keeps us narrow-minded

Stereotypes of Americans  optimistic  informal  wealthy  politically naïve  hard-working/lazy  loud, rude  generous  impatient  spoiled

Working with Cultural Differences be prepared for differences X do not judge others X do not try to acculturate American workplace culture should be taught

Be Careful With…  humor- it may not translate  politeness- more formal/stricter code  language- be careful with slang  physical contact- touching & personal space  talking politics- gauge your audience  photographing others- ask permission

Acculturation  the modification of the culture of a group or individual as a result of contact with a different culture  occurs in stages  not all cultural traits or social patterns will be changed or modified

Stages of Cultural Adjustment begins with arrival ends when excitement wears off Initial Euphoria more active role in surroundings produces frustration focus is on differences Culture Shock occurs after shock wears off culture gradually becomes familiar Gradual Adjustment ability to function in both cultures feeling part of host culture Adaption

Test Your Progress Match the stages of acculturation to the correct definition. The correct answers are on the next slide. initial euphoria____ a. begins with arrival culture shock____ b. functions in both cultures adaption____ c. shock wears off gradual adjustment____ d. active in surroundings but frustrated

Answers Match the stages of acculturation to the correct definition. initial euphoria a a. begins with arrival culture shock d b. functions in both cultures adaption b c. shock wears off gradual adjustment c d. active in surroundings but frustrated

Learning Style Learning style is an individual’s natural or habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in learning situations. Most Common: visual auditory reading & writing kinesthetic multimodal

Situation Check Dominick is working with Alejandro, who is from Guatemala. Alejandro wants to work towards getting his GED. Dominick feels that he needs to improve his English if he is going to be successful in passing the GED test. Which is the best advice Dominick can give Alejandro toward his goal? a.He needs to discourage Alejandro from trying to get the GED since he is not ready. b.He should tell Alejandro that they can work on the GED after his English improves. c.He should help Alejandro work toward his goal by choosing material that is relevant to the test but at Alejandro’s level. d.None of the above

Answer The correct answer is c. He should help Alejandro work toward his goal by choosing material that is relevant to the test but at Alejandro’s level. The students’ goals are to be respected and honored.

Learning Style and Use in Education  explain learning styles/preferences  have students discover their style  accommodate needs  develop study skills based on style  keep as part of students’ permanent record

Self Discovery VARK Learning Styles Click on the following link to discover more about learning styles and identify your own: learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionn airehttp:// learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionn aire

Visual Learners How they learn  form mental pictures  prefer written instructions  demonstrations Teaching strategies  use material with pictures  use flashcards, charts, diagrams  write instructions  use highlighters  use visualization techniques Click on the following link to learn more: learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visualhttp:// learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visual

Auditory Learners How They Learn  process info easiest when they hear  prefer oral instruction  oral repeating  able to discriminate between similar sounds & words Teaching Strategies  read to learner  use audiotapes  discuss & summarize work  ask students to repeat  oral reading techniques  use rhythm & music Click on the following link to learn more: learn.com/english/page.asp? p=aural

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners How They Learn  physical activity  by touching and doing  when physical action is involved  by doing rather than talking or writing Teaching Strategies  trace letters or words  draw pictures  use letter cards or tiles to teach spelling  use word cards to form sentences  use computers or boards games  change activities often Click on the following link to learn more: learn.com/english/page.asp?p=ki nesthetic# learn.com/english/page.asp?p=ki nesthetic#

Test Your Progress Tracey works with Giovanni who is finishing his GED. She wants to make sure she is effective in her tutoring so she has Giovanni take a test to identify his learning style. Which of the following are considered a learning styles? a.visual, auditory, naturalist b.visual, auditory, kinesthetic c.naturalist, auditory, kinesthetic d.visual, naturalist, kinesthetic

Answer The correct answer is b. Students learn visually by reading or seeing, auditory by listening, or kinesthetically by touching or doing. Students may have a preference for one style or a combination of the different styles.

Situation Check Beverly has a variety of learning styles in her class. Match the correct teaching methods to the learning style it is best suited to. Mateo is visual____ a. tiles to create words Helen is auditory____ b. flashcards Benita is tactile____ c. music

Answers Mateo is visual b a. tiles to create words Helen is auditory c b. flashcards Benita is tactile a c. music

Multiple Intelligence Theory  intelligence is not a single complex entity or a combined set of processes  several separate intelligences  the list is not complete new categories are being recognized  should be considered when planning lessons

Multiple Intelligences

Self-Discovery Click on the following link to discover more about multiple intelligence and identify your own: indyourstrengths.html

Test Your Progress Which sentence is true in explaining multiple intelligence theory? a.not everyone has multiple intelligences b.it is measured by an I.Q. test c.it is different for each individual d.intelligence is defined by a number

Answer The correct answer is c. Each individual person has a different combination of intelligence. Intelligence is not measured by I.Q. and cannot be defined by a number. There are many different types of intelligences that are recognized. Tutors should respect students’ abilities and interests.

Identifying Student Goals Adult learners return to education for a variety of reasons. Whatever their reason, it is our job to identify and help students achieve their goals.

New Student Interview & Documentation  in-take- students fill out a registration sheet background questions and goals are noted  testing- students are tested with CASAS or TABE to determine level and post tested to measure gains  placement- students are placed in the appropriate level

Intake Information Student Application Name__________________________________________ Date______________ Address____________________________________________________________ City_________________________ State___________ Zip Code______________ Phone Number______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth_____________________________ Gender ___________________ Place of Birth_______________________ Nationality______________________ What languages do you speak? Do you speak a dialect? _____________________ How long have you been in the United States?____________________________ What grade did you complete in school?_________________________________ How old were you when you finished school?_____________________________ Can you read in your native language?___________________________________ What kind of work do you do?__________________________________________ What are your educational goals?________________________________________

Measure and Document Goals  It is important to document student level, learning style, goals, and achievements.  It is equally important to denote issues students may be having including suspected learning problems.  Copies of tests should be kept in the student files

Test Your Progress Nancy is interviewing a new student at the Cassidy Center. Which of the following question/s should not be asked? Identify all that may apply. a.Where are you from? b.Do you have proof of citizenship? c.What languages do you speak and read? d.How long have you been in the US?

Answer The correct answer is a. It is important to ask questions about the student’s background. Finding out as much as you can about their education and experience will be helpful. However, students are not required to be citizens to enroll in classes, therefore, that information is not necessary. Many students may not feel comfortable discussing their residency status. For that reason, that conversation should be avoided unless a student brings up the issue.

Factors That Affect Learning Students have many factors that interfere with learning. The Martin County Library Adult Literacy Services does not have a mandated attendance policy. Encourage students to attend as much as possible. However, understand that many of our students have constraints that may interfere with their attendance.

Personal Interferences The following are personal interferences that can prevent students from attending class:  work hours  lack of transportation  family issues  illness

Intellectual Interferences Some students may have learning disabilities such as:  dyslexia  processing issues  ADD/ADHD  brain damage

Environmental Interferences Environmental interferences that can distract students:  noise  temperature  lighting  time of day  setting  seating arrangement  length of session  involvement with others  level of organization

Test Your Progress Which of the following are considered personal interference that may prevent the adult learner from coming to class? a.transportation b.child care c.work hours d.all of the above

Answer The correct answer is d. All answers are valid reasons why an adult learner may be prevented from attending class. Tutors should be prepared that adults will have situations that will prevent them from attending. Tutors should also understand that attendance is voluntary and not required.

Test Your Progress Which of the following environmental conditions may interfere with learning? Identify all that may apply. a.lighting problems in the classroom b.the temperature of the classroom c.the temperature outside d.the seating arrangement

Answer The correct answer is a, b, and d. Making sure the adult learner is comfortable in the learning environment is important to prevent unnecessary distractions. Making sure the lighting is correct, and that the temperature and seating arrangements are comfortable are examples of controlling environmental distractions.

What Students Expect  a connection  encouragement  positive expectations  respect/acceptance  flexibility  humor  enthusiasm  effective communication  guidance  feedback

What Makes a Great Tutor? There are certain characteristics that individuals possess that make them effective tutors. The following slides will help identify those qualities and what students expect from their instructors.

Excellent Tutor Qualities  a desire to help others  a positive outlook  empathy  an open mind  an even disposition  initiative  enthusiasm  reliability  flexibility

Behaviors That Reinforce Adult Learning  Respect  Support  Compliments/recognition/praise  Feedback  Choice of activities  Relevant activities

Volunteers Policy  respect students/coworkers  follow program guidelines  continue education/training  communicate issues with program director  keep proper boundaries with students

Conclusion Thank you for completing this training module.

Post Test Please complete the post-test at this time.