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

Variation

One variation on role-playing, which may seem less intimidating because it does not require dialogue, is to create “frozen snapshots.” Using the situation pulled from the box, the players create three posed tableaux. In the first tableau, they show the situation (as if the viewer were looking at a photograph of it). In the second tableau, they show the impact of the situation on the learner. The third tableau shows a possible way to work through the situation. The players can give a title to each tableau. The full group can discuss what they observe, why they think the situation exists and how the learner can move from it to a solution that she can live with. Tutors can also discuss the role that they can play to support their learners without becoming overwhelmed or losing a sense of boundaries.

Option 2 Use of handout, role-play
Why choose this option? You and your tutors may enjoy doing role-plays. This works well in a larger group. Materials and equipment Handout 4.4: Learning Situations Slips of paper? Box or container Preparation Review any policies and procedures your program has for handling situations involving tutors and learners. Review the Learning Situations handout, which is based on real tutoring experiences. Choose ones that reflect your program. Use your choices in the following activities. Make a copy of the handout and cut the situations into separate pieces. Be sure not to cut up the original handout or you won’t be able to use it next time! Put the cut-apart situations into the container. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Show tutors the box or container and explain that the slips of paper inside each describe a situation based on real tutoring experiences. Have tutors pair up and pull a situation from the box. Tell them they are to role-play the situation. One person will be the tutor and one person will be the learner. Give them up to five minutes to rehearse, as they will have to ad lib the conversation. Have each pair present the role-play of the situation to the rest of the tutors. The group can discuss other possible solutions or approaches. Add comments that reflect your experience or any program policies.

Option 2 Use of handout, role-play

Why choose this option?

You and your tutors may enjoy doing role-plays. This works well in a larger group.

Materials and equipment

Handout 4.4: Learning Situations
Slips of paper?
Box or container

Preparation

Review any policies and procedures your program has for handling situations involving tutors and learners. Review the Learning Situations handout, which is based on real tutoring experiences. Choose ones that reflect your program. Use your choices in the following activities.
Make a copy of the handout and cut the situations into separate pieces. Be sure not to cut up the original handout or you won’t be able to use it next time!
Put the cut-apart situations into the container.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Show tutors the box or container and explain that the slips of paper inside each describe a situation based on real tutoring experiences.
Have tutors pair up and pull a situation from the box.
Tell them they are to role-play the situation. One person will be the tutor and one person will be the learner.
Give them up to five minutes to rehearse, as they will have to ad lib the conversation.
Have each pair present the role-play of the situation to the rest of the tutors.
The group can discuss other possible solutions or approaches.
Add comments that reflect your experience or any program policies.