• Look at Introduction to Carine in the tutor training manual and discuss; she will also be discussed in conjunction with different activities in the tutor training manual. (Lessons highlighted for her include the labeling exercises and TPR. In addition, review exercises used in the workshop are based on her. )

Optional activity 1: Learner Profiles on Video

Materials

  • Interviews with ESL Learners (Laubach training by design video, ISBN: 1-56420-137-6)
  • Neighours Video #3: "Portraits"
  • Or any other video featuring learners from your particular program (or videos that represent the types of learners that are presently in your program).
graphic of an overhead projector
  • Explain to trainees that, while they will not be asking the questions themselves, this video will provide an opportunity to do a needs assessment (and a skills assessment, to a certain degree.)
  • Handout copies of the Learner Profile. You will need one copy for each learner that you will discuss.
  • Show overhead, Using informal interviews for skills assessment and ask trainees to keep these questions in mind while watching the video.
  • Show the video, stopping after each interview to discuss how the trainees have interpreted the interview/responded to the questions.
  • Reiterate the idea that assessment is not an exact science. Assessment is observation and the interpretation of that observation. Continuous assessment is necessary because the initial assessment may not be completely accurate, and the learner is constantly learning and developing new skills.

Other considerations:

If you choose to use the learner profiles, you will have plenty of opportunities to make further use of them throughout the tutor training workshop. Consider the following suggestions:

  • When discussing different teaching strategies, discuss which method would work best for the learner.