REFLECTIVE ESSAY

What was your idea of Teaching English at the beginning of the term?

It would be a challenge, it wouldn’t be easy because we will learn how to teach a second language not using the traditional way that some teachers are using, we’re in a new era and of course we need to update our knowledge and adapt the classes by using the technology and different resources we have nowadays to teach English in an effective way where students don’t feel bored in classes and help them to understand every topic, including grammar and teach grammar isn’t easy but, through “Teaching Practicum” classes we’re learning how not to teach English and grammar. Moreover, we have to help students to achieve learning objectives, we have the responsibility that at the end of the course students will be able to speak English effectively and fluently without any grammar error.

How have you confronted your conception of teaching English with the ideas discussed in class?

I have confronted my conception of Teaching English through the experiences that I had during my practicum in the school and also through the activities we developed in the classroom with my fellows. I realized that it is a challenge because it’s more than just teach Grammar, we have to teach to students how to develop the four English skills; Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing to speak English effectively and fluently to communicate with foreign people or with English speakers. I learnt how important is the creation of a “lesson plan” for each class because it help us as a guide and to don’t “invent” in classes because we’re the person in charge that students learn, if we don’t plan the classes we will use TTT (TEACHER TALKING TIME) and we have to avoid it because students will feel bored in class and they deserve the best of us as teachers, we have to create amazing classes and good environment where students feel motivated and say “I love your class, I love learn English” just because you use methodologies that make the classes dynamics and applying assignments that get their attention.

How do you really conceive an English class?

Such as an interactive and dynamic class where the teacher adapt lessons plans according to students’ level, abilities, age, and their speed to learn. English class must be learner-centred rather than teacher-centred. Furthermore, a class where students are able to apply their abilities and talents to learn English through assignments than make them feel motivated and comfortable while they’re practicing and enhance their English Level to be able to speak English fluently and without any grammatical error. Furthermore, a class where the teacher always looks for students benefits, if students aren’t learning try another methodology to teach, and explain them every time they need it, apply assignments that help them to master every topic, specially the ones that’re more difficult for them. It’s so important to use visual aids, commands, technology, such as; apps, videos, music, games, movies, etc. every that get students’ attention to make the process easier and more interactive to achieve the development of the four skills. The more students practice, the better they will become.

What would you recommend to English teachers at UTEC, public schools, and private schools?

My recommendation is to know who are the learners, take the time to know them, they way in which they learn; then, gain the students’ confidence, so that when they don’t understand something they go to them to ask without any shame, it is also important to create an environment where they feel comfortable by setting rules and have them followed so that we all respect each other and use collaborative learning to achieve learning goals together. Furthermore, they have to design a lesson plan for each class, show them the respect they deserve by taking the time to design assignments that get their attention using technology, games, videos, music, or any other resource that enhance the Teaching Learning Process, of course adapting them to their needs, their level, and on that way achieve the learning objectives at the end of the course. And is so important to monitor students’ learning process, if they’re learning or they’re stuck on a topic, being concerned about students’ learning, not just pretend to teach and assign a grade to students even if they are not learning, teaching English is not just about saying what is in the book and getting out of the commitment, if students are not learning they have to change the methodology in which they’re teaching. And the last recommendation but, not least, teachers must update their knowledge and methodologies to teach in an effective way.

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