Slide 2 The Martin County Library Adult Literacy Services Tutor
Training Program Slide 3 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. Slide 4 Pre-Test Please
complete the pre-test at this time. Slide 5 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. Slide 6 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. Slide 7 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 Slide
8 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 Slide 9
Literacy Defined the ability to read and write one is considered to
be functionally literate if they can read at a sixth grade level
Slide 10 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
Slide 11 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. Slide 12
Illiteracy Rates Source: U.S. Department of Education, National
Institute of Literacy Research Date: 4.28.2013 Slide 13 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 Slide 14 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 Slide 15 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. Slide 16 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? Slide 17 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% Slide 18 Working
With Others Students come from very different backgrounds.
Considering individual differences is an important component in
understanding the adult learner. Slide 19 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 Slide 20 How Culture
Affects Us beliefsvaluesperceptionsexpectationsattitudesassumptions
Slide 21 statusgender rolesappearance traditions body
language/gestures eye contact interruptingtime asking
questions/saying you dont understand making mistakes/correction
taboo topics directness in conversations What Can Be Culturally
Different ? Slide 22 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 Slide 23 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. Slide 24 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 Slide 25 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. Slide 26
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. Slide 27 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 Slide 28 Stereotypes
of Americans optimistic informal wealthy politically nave
hard-working/lazy loud, rude generous impatient spoiled Slide 29
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 Slide 30 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 Slide 31 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 Slide 32 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 Slide 33
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 Slide 34
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 Slide
35 Learning Style Learning style is an individuals natural or
habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in
learning situations. Most Common: visual auditory reading &
writing kinesthetic multimodal Slide 36 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 Alejandros level. d.None of the above
Slide 37 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 Alejandros level. The students goals are to be
respected and honored. Slide 38 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 Slide 39 Self Discovery VARK
Learning Styles Click on the following link to discover more about
learning styles and identify your own: http://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionn airehttp://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionn aire Slide 40 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: http://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visualhttp://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visual Slide 41 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: http://www.vark- learn.com/english/page.asp?
p=aural Slide 42 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: http://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=ki nesthetic#http://www.vark-
learn.com/english/page.asp?p=ki nesthetic# Slide 43 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 Slide 44 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. Slide 45 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 Slide 46 Answers Mateo is
visual b a. tiles to create words Helen is auditory c b. flashcards
Benita is tactile a c. music Slide 47 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 Slide 48 Multiple Intelligences Slide 49
Self-Discovery Click on the following link to discover more about
multiple intelligence and identify your own:
http://www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/f indyourstrengths.html
Slide 50 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 Slide 51
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. Slide 52 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. Slide 53 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 Slide 54 Intake Information Student Application
Name__________________________________________ Date______________
Address____________________________________________________________
City_________________________ State___________ Zip
Code______________ Phone
Number______________________________________________________
Email______________________________________________________________
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?________________________________________ Slide 55
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 Slide 56 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? Slide 57 Answer The correct answer is a. It is important to ask
questions about the students 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. Slide 58 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. Slide 59 Personal Interferences
The following are personal interferences that can prevent students
from attending class: work hours lack of transportation family
issues illness Slide 60 Intellectual Interferences Some students
may have learning disabilities such as: dyslexia processing issues
ADD/ADHD brain damage Slide 61 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 Slide 62
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 Slide 63 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. Slide 64
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 Slide
65 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.
Slide 66 What Students Expect a connection encouragement positive
expectations respect/acceptance flexibility humor enthusiasm
effective communication guidance feedback Slide 67 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. Slide 68 Excellent Tutor Qualities a desire to help
others a positive outlook empathy an open mind an even disposition
initiative enthusiasm reliability flexibility Slide 69 Behaviors
That Reinforce Adult Learning Respect Support
Compliments/recognition/praise Feedback Choice of activities
Relevant activities Slide 70 Volunteers Policy respect
students/coworkers follow program guidelines continue
education/training communicate issues with program director keep
proper boundaries with students Slide 71 Conclusion Thank you for
completing this training module. Slide 72 Post Test Please complete
the post-test at this time.
