Explanation

One of the main purposes of the mentoring session is to give the student an opportunity to ask questions. The mentor has to not only answer the question but understand the root of the question and perhaps go much further with the explanation than the student had planned. The language of the explanation varies according to the complexity of the issue and the level of the student.

Explanation I (Pashto)

In this example, the student asks about pronouns in Pashto. The mentor answers the goes deep into the issue to get to the core of the student’s question and gives a thorough explanation of a complex issue in Pashto.

Explanation II (Pashto)

In this continuation of the explanation of pronouns in Pashto, the student is actively participating in the experience by asking questions and creating his own examples. The mentor, for his part, continues to come up with examples. This is an instance demonstrating that one can never give too many examples.

Explanation III (Persian)

In this discussion of Persian, the mentor uses the board to write a part of his explanation. The student not only writes down what the mentor is saying but then creates his own examples to be sure he has understood the concept.

Explanation IV (Persian)

This clip illustrates how the target language and English can be combined in a mentoring session. The student stays in Persian as long as he can but reverts to English when he needs to make certain he has understood.

Explanation V (Swahili)

Here a bit of English is interjected to clarify.

Explanation VI (Swahili)

In this clip, the mentor combines Swahili and English in her explanation.