Whether we are sharing photos, directions, or looking up a translation, cellphones are one way to broaden understanding. If tutors have any difficulty explaining a word to a learner, they can simply use a phone to look up a definition, translation, or an image and understanding is immediate.
In the photo above, learner Andres shows Sr. Carleen and his tutor photos from his recent trip to Mexico. It was an opportunity for him to use English—his second language—to describe the people, places, and events of his trip. Many tutor/learner pairs keep in touch throughout the week with their phones as well as share videos and websites to enhance learning opportunities.
The cellphone is just one technology tool that we use. Many pairings spend time working in our computer lab or on a Chromebook supplied through the literacy center from grants we have received.