It’s important to check that our learner understands us as
well as the material we’re working with.
Here are a few ideas:
·
Don’t assume knowledge.
·
Start at the beginning. For example, your learner says he has to
write a paragraph about his weekend. Ask
“What is a paragraph?” or “What is the weekend?”
Check vocabulary. Does your learner know the words you’re
using?
· Ask your learner to summarize what you have
said. “Please tell me what this means.”
“Can you tell me what we learned in your own words?”
·
Quiz your learner on information you have
covered together.
·
Ask the learner to explain the topic to you as
if you were the learner and he was the tutor.
·
Ask probing questions to expand the topic and
you may find he doesn’t get the basics.
·
If appropriate, draw a diagram of what he’s
learning.
·
Use reinforcement. “That’s great! Now you understand!”
