Creating Learning Partners: A facilitator’s guide for training effective adult literacy tutors

Use these proverbs as examples of cultural similarities and differences.
- Point out the concepts that cross cultures, such as the value of lifelong learning, that experience is a teacher, that everyone knows something, that food is a necessity, that action reaps rewards, that death is an equalizer, that things could be worse, and so on. Alternatively, you could ask tutors to identify which, if any, of the concepts cross cultures.
- Share one of your favourite learning proverbs or quotations and encourage a few tutors to do the same.
- Summarize by explaining that different cultural groups may be talking about the same concepts but may express those concepts differently. When working with English as a Second Language learners, we will also find similarities and differences.

Option 2 Matching proverbs, discussion for smaller groups
Why choose this option? This version of the icebreaker will work for a smaller group of tutors. Materials and equipment Handout 11.1: Proverb Pairs 1 Handout 11.2: Proverb Pairs 2 – Answers Preparation Copy the handout Proverb Pairs 1. Cut the copy into sayings, so that the beginnings and endings of the proverbs are separated. Think of a proverb or quotation that you would like to share with tutors. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Match proverb endings and beginnings. Put the pieces of the proverbs from the handout Proverb Pairs 1 on the table, with the beginnings and endings in separate piles. Shuffle each pile to make sure that the two piles won’t be too easy to match. Ask tutors to work as a group and match the beginnings and endings of these sayings from around the world. As tutors match up the proverbs, discuss their meanings and possible English counterparts as a group. Use Proverb Pairs 2 – Answers to check the matches. Use these proverbs as examples of cultural similarities and differences. Point out the concepts that cross cultures, such as the value of lifelong learning, that experience is a teacher, that everyone knows something, that food is a necessity, that action reaps rewards, that death is an equalizer, that it could be worse, and so on. Alternatively, you could ask tutors to identify which, if any, of the concepts cross cultures. Share one of your favourite learning proverbs or quotations and encourage a few tutors to do the same. End by summarizing that different cultural groups may be talking about the same concepts but may express those concepts differently. When working with English as a Second Language learners, we will also find similarities and differences.

Option 2 Matching proverbs, discussion for smaller groups

Why choose this option?

This version of the icebreaker will work for a smaller group of tutors.

Materials and equipment

Handout 11.1: Proverb Pairs 1
Handout 11.2: Proverb Pairs 2 – Answers

Preparation

Copy the handout Proverb Pairs 1. Cut the copy into sayings, so that the beginnings and endings of the proverbs are separated. Think of a proverb or quotation that you would like to share with tutors.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Match proverb endings and beginnings.
- Put the pieces of the proverbs from the handout Proverb Pairs 1 on the table, with the beginnings and endings in separate piles. Shuffle each pile to make sure that the two piles won’t be too easy to match.
- Ask tutors to work as a group and match the beginnings and endings of these sayings from around the world.
As tutors match up the proverbs, discuss their meanings and possible English counterparts as a group. Use Proverb Pairs 2 – Answers to check the matches.
Use these proverbs as examples of cultural similarities and differences.
- Point out the concepts that cross cultures, such as the value of lifelong learning, that experience is a teacher, that everyone knows something, that food is a necessity, that action reaps rewards, that death is an equalizer, that it could be worse, and so on. Alternatively, you could ask tutors to identify which, if any, of the concepts cross cultures.
- Share one of your favourite learning proverbs or quotations and encourage a few tutors to do the same.
- End by summarizing that different cultural groups may be talking about the same concepts but may express those concepts differently. When working with English as a Second Language learners, we will also find similarities and differences.