Knowledge of visitor interpretation/Activities/Special Audiences
Objectives
Learn about the tour audience
Activity
Audience Profile
It is not always possible to know about your audience and the ways they best learn, before you meet them. They will however have certain commonalities eg. age, gender, nationality, experience and will usually have an interest in the subject of the tour they will be taking part in.
Visual (sight) and auditory (listening) impressions may provide some clues about your audience:
- they are from a specific country or region
- they are speaking a certain language
- they may look of a similar age
The next step would be to ask some questions or try some communication techniques (before the tour gets started) which could help you learn more about them:
- tell a joke - see if they understand your sense of humour
- wear something or hold something up which may provoke a question from someone in your audience
- ask if there is anyone from a particular country eg. USA, then ask where others are from
- ask if there is anyone with a strong interest, or experience in the topic of your interpretation
Task
Certain audiences have specific needs.From the six types of audiences listed below make a list of their:
Characteristics - things about them or actions which place them in a particular group
Special Needs - things you as the interpreter should be aware of with regards to your audience
Interpretive requirements - things/actions you need to do/or be aware of, or not do, for a particular audience
Audience
1. Older adults (60+)
2. Foreign visitors
3. Visually impaired
4. Hearing impaired
5. Disabled
6. Families
