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

Activity B

Tutors’ knowledge

First language speakers have an internal knowledge of how their language works. This exercise helps tutors realize that they do know something about grammar. Our thanks to Dorothy Lloyd, a tutor from Lac La Biche, who invented this game and gave us permission to use it.

Use of handout, demonstration
Materials and equipment Handout 12.18: Fix These (2 pages) A large envelope Flip chart and markers Preparation Cut apart the sentences of the Fix These handout so there is one sentence for every tutor. Place these into a large envelope. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Introduce the Fix These activity as a look at sentence word order. Tell tutors that they will each be given a sentence. Some of the sentences are correct, some are incorrect, and some are correct only if used in an informal sense like talking to a friend. They are to analyze the sentence they get and decide whether it is correct, incorrect, or just correct if used informally. They are also to give their corrected (formal or informal) version if the one they have is incorrect. Write the categories correct, incorrect and correct in informal use on the flip chart. Have tutors choose sentence strips from the envelope. They can put any back that they don’t like and choose another one. Give tutors a couple of minutes to look over their sentences. Ask for a few volunteers to share their sentences. Have them state the sentence as it is on the paper. Then have them categorize the correctness of the sentence (correct, incorrect and correct in informal use) and give a corrected version if necessary. Involve the rest of the tutors by asking if anyone has a different answer. They may give optional corrections as there are many ways to make a sentence. Point this out if it occurs. Inform tutors that they all know English grammar instinctively. They have an inner compass that points out correct and incorrect grammar for everyday situations. Encourage them to refer to grammar texts when any out-of-the-ordinary grammar is involved for advanced ESL learners.

Use of handout, demonstration

Materials and equipment

Handout 12.18: Fix These (2 pages)
A large envelope
Flip chart and markers

Preparation

Cut apart the sentences of the Fix These handout so there is one sentence for every tutor. Place these into a large envelope.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Introduce the Fix These activity as a look at sentence word order. Tell tutors that they will each be given a sentence. Some of the sentences are correct, some are incorrect, and some are correct only if used in an informal sense like talking to a friend. They are to analyze the sentence they get and decide whether it is correct, incorrect, or just correct if used informally. They are also to give their corrected (formal or informal) version if the one they have is incorrect. Write the categories correct, incorrect and correct in informal use on the flip chart.
Have tutors choose sentence strips from the envelope. They can put any back that they don’t like and choose another one.
Give tutors a couple of minutes to look over their sentences.
Ask for a few volunteers to share their sentences. Have them state the sentence as it is on the paper. Then have them categorize the correctness of the sentence (correct, incorrect and correct in informal use) and give a corrected version if necessary.
Involve the rest of the tutors by asking if anyone has a different answer. They may give optional corrections as there are many ways to make a sentence. Point this out if it occurs.
Inform tutors that they all know English grammar instinctively. They have an inner compass that points out correct and incorrect grammar for everyday situations. Encourage them to refer to grammar texts when any out-of-the-ordinary grammar is involved for advanced ESL learners.