Specifically, this is my portfolio site for my TESOL Certificate from UCLA Exention.
Teaching Philosophy
A good guide to help students learn English is essential. I am a solid and enthusiastic teacher with a love for the language, a patient demeanor, and an ability to explain complicated concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. While there are more resources for learning English than perhaps any other, with so much English culture and media to absorb, it is also a difficult language to learn with its nature of absorbing influences from other languages and its myriad grammatical exceptions, especially as an adult.
The approach to teaching I take is based on a few key beliefs:
- Language learning can and should be fun.
- An enthusiastic teacher, who cares about student outcomes, is vital to learning.
- The classroom is a safe space where students can, and should, feel welcome to make mistakes and get helpful feedback so they can build confidence in using the language out in the world.
- Repetition and habit-building are essential tools in learning a language.
The classroom in my view, is a sacred space. In order to learn, students must be comfortable and willing to make mistakes, in reading, in writing, and especially in speaking. The more comfortable I can make it for students to be able to speak and practice, with the mirroring and repetition it takes for knowledge and skills to become second nature for students, the better. I find when learning languages myself, that speaking, especially, can reinforce the lessons, and wire the brain into absorbing grammar rules and speaking habits that become increasingly automatic, which is why a good guide, helping correct mistakes in a kind, supportive way, is vital. Instilling confidence in English learners is key to their success. So many are intimidated by the daunting task of learning English, but my aim is to make it easy, enjoyable and downright fun. My favorite and most impactful teachers have been the ones who are enthusiastic about their teaching. Their varied methods and common joy for teaching are what I strive to emulate.
I’m especially interested in helping Immigrants to English-speaking countries, and those in other countries wanting to communicate with English speakers. Several parts of society, especially in a place like the United States where I am based, require English proficiency either formally or informally. I’ve always felt that if that’s going to be a requirement, we as a society need to do as much as we can to help those who are trying to learn become as proficient as possible. I want to make sure my students find learning English to be the fun, absorbing, richly rewarding activity I know it to be.
Goals and Context
In April, President Trump signed an executive order requiring all Commercial Drivers on U.S. roads to be proficient in English. Following that, in May, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed a directive allowing law enforcement to conduct roadside English Proficiency tests (related to driving instructions and road signs, etc.) and immediately putting any driver who doesn’t pass in an out of service status – meaning the load they’re carrying must get another driver. Details are not clear on what then happens to the driver, nor how they can get their commercial license and ability to work reinstated. My first thought was, well, we just need to go into the trucking companies and teach these people what they need to know, the English they need to do their jobs and prove their language proficiency. The general idea of making sure immigrants are not discriminated against on the basis of language is one of the motivations for me earning a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.
So…
Language has always been a love of mine and a driving force in my life and artistic endeavors. Being able to communicate effectively, especially across cultures, I feel, is a key to human peace and understanding. So teaching English is one of the ways I feel I can give back while also being enjoyable. Maybe I could earn a living or a bit of extra income. And do it from anywhere. All of that is very appealing.
I currently hold the following goals:
- To continue learning and improving my ability to assess student needs, develop lesson plans, and grow relationships with colleagues and other interested parties. To continue learning about and becoming more proficient and comfortable with the ever-growing array of technologies, teaching tools and methods becoming available.
- To continue to meet other teachers and glean their best techniques and learn from their successes.
- Obtain a volunteer position to gain experience teaching and more fully discover what I most enjoy teaching (age levels, learning levels, is there a concentration I might like, such as grammar, reading, speaking, etc.).
- Eventually obtain at least a part-time position.
Through the TESOL courses, I’ve rediscovered that when I was younger, I used to teach English, informally, to co-workers as they taught me Spanish. As a lover of languages, I really enjoyed that. I’m hoping I can share that enthusiasm for languages, and especially English, with some of those wanting to learn.
carlpeeldotcom 