A hobby tutorial in a language not everyone understands: agree the explanations
By Erik Nilsen · Kroni2 min read
The family wants to draw a character from an English hobby video. One child knows the words, another follows only the pictures and the adult assumes everyone understands. After three steps, your drawings differ. Before restarting the video, clarify what help the participants actually need.
Check one small step first
Watch the first short instruction together. Ask what you are meant to do rather than whether everyone “gets it”. Someone may understand the shape but not that the line should initially be faint. Another may have missed which corner is used.
Then choose an approach:
| Situation | Possible help |
|---|---|
| Pictures suffice for a step | Watch and try without more explanation |
| A key word is unclear | Someone briefly explains the word |
| Several steps arrive quickly | Stop between steps |
| Nobody can explain the instruction | Find another guide or try something simpler |
You need not finish this particular video for the hobby session to count.
Agree who explains
The person knowing the language can agree to explain one or several steps. A child does not automatically become the translator because they know some English words. An adult can take the role or choose a guide everyone can follow more readily.
Ask whether explanations should come before drawing or when someone requests them. Constant translation may exceed what participants want. “Now we draw the outer circle. The rest comes later” might be enough.
Give each participant their own attempt
When someone asks for help, demonstrate on your own paper if useful. Avoid taking over their drawing to bring everyone to the same point. Someone may prefer to try independently after a brief explanation.
If one participant finishes first, they can draw their own details while others follow the next step. Clarify that personal details are not a new instruction everyone must follow.
Finally, choose whether to continue, repeat one step or finish with the characters as they are. Ask whether the language help worked for participants, rather than whether everyone produced the same result. Next time, preview a small section and choose an explanation method that suits that particular guide.
