My Teaching Philosophy

Being a teacher is something that was not in my plans. Never in a million years, I would have thought that I would become one. I had other dreams in mind when I enrolled in this TESL journey. I wanted to become a writer, I still do. However, there is a more pressing goal I have at the moment and that is to be a teacher. I still remember the moment every bone in my body screamed: “I want to be that!” A tear almost escaped me when Educational Psychology Professor Mrs. Diana Dassouki was saying that if we want to make a difference, or change someone’s life, being a teacher is the answer. That day I knew I found my purpose, what I was meant to do with my life. For me, this symbolized the rainbow after the storm, the light after the darkness. It seemed as if I was lost in a black and white world, without knowing what it was I was supposed to do; and suddenly it all became COLORFUL. That rainbow, I found myself in, is the place I hope to lead my students to. In order to do that, I know I need to build a teaching philosophy, following a number of principles, that will help me in my quest to motivate my students to grow in color.

My TESL journey has taught me that my success as a teacher lies in my students’ success. Without them wanting to learn, I could never achieve my goal. Thus, I am planning to base my teaching methodology around my students’ needs and wants, and considering their individual differences and styles. In other words, I will strive to follow a more student-centered approach, where I will mostly be a guide that will lead them into learning autonomy.

Since learning a new language has never been easy, I know that my first job as a teacher has to be motivating my students into finding purpose in going through the hustle. Thus, I’ll start by activating an internal desire to be part of the language; then, as Brown says, “intensify [their] impetus to learn.” This will instigate in them the need to reach self-actualization and prove to themselves that they are able to learn the new language. It will also give them a sense of control needed to thrive. The journey becomes less heavy when students feel that they are learning because they want to, and need to. The latter will heighten their “feelings of competence and self-determination,” which will push them to keep going.

Also, since motivation depends greatly on students’ self-efficacy, I will make sure to build on their strategic investment in order to give them the tools they need to thrive in their journey. The importance of the latter lies in the fact that in order for the learning of the second language to reach its’ peak, students have to be in charge of their own learning. To do that they need to know the different methods, and strategies, they can apply to successfully reach learning autonomy. For I can teach them all the rules and all the linguistic information, but what good would that be if they are not capable of comprehending and producing all that I have taught them by themselves? I wont be with them forever.

In addition to that, knowing how important students’ affective filter is, for learning to take place, I will make sure to create the adequate environment, where students feel safe to explore the language. Protecting their language ego is something I won't take lightly because I know that in order for them to be willing to communicate they have to feel safe and have to see errors as windows to learn. By doing this, I will be making sure to lower my students’ anxiety coming from learning a second language; for I know how frustrating it can be to learn a language you are not understanding, and struggle while doing so. Thus, making sure they know they are not alone on this journey is something that I will make sure of.

 Also, since it has become evident that the classroom atmosphere is crucial to learning and teaching to take place, I will work hard on creating a comfortable atmosphere in class, by tackling not only the teacher-student relationship, but also the relationship between the students themselves. To ensure this, I will include group and pair work, and show my students how working together makes the process easier and more fructiferous. Also, when necessary I will assign study buddies to ensure that students build on each other’s academic success. My goal will be to teach the importance of group work, and how the world can be a better place if we all work together despite our difference.

Additionally, in order to minimize any disruptions to the flow of the lesson, I will bring the classroom management techniques learned during my TESL courses, and the observations I have been attending, to the table. I will make sure to use attention-grabbing techniques to hook my students from the start and avoid having them wandering off-task. Also, I will make sure to get my students started by getting them physically and mentally ready to engage during the lesson. Whether by asking them first about their day, or starting by asking review display questions, I will ensure that students are focused and ready before starting with the lesson itself. Likewise, I will manage my time wisely, and pace my lessons according to my students’ learning pace. I will make sure to create momentum between tasks, and that all students are on the right track, at the right time. Also, I will apply what we call with-it-ness, in order to be sure that every little detail that ensures the flow of the lesson is on the right track. By doing so I will be able to create an organized and productive classroom environment.

In order for all of the above to successfully take place, the lessons conveyed should exceed in meaningfulness and authenticity. Thus, I will make sure to do that when it comes to planning my lessons. I will abbey to the curriculum, but at the same time, I will give it the accommodations necessary in order to make my students’ language learning experience a rich one. In addition, I will build my lessons around different methods and approaches that will ensure the language is taught in context, targeting real-life situations. For I want them to create the right connections between what they will be learning and their daily lives. Furthermore, I will build on students’ indirect and direct experiences in order to make their learning experience memorable.  By doing this, I will be ensuring to widen my students’ schemata and creating stronger connections between what they are learning and what they already know.

Moreover, I will make sure to contextualize and integrate the four language skills into my lesson plans, while choosing a variety of topics and themes that will add to the authenticity of the latter. By doing this, I will be making sure to create a holistic language environment that will give students the opportunity to interact with the language as a whole and develop their language competence; giving them as much opportunities to be creative with the language as possible.

To enhance their reading skills, I will start by building on their background knowledge, and robust vocabulary to get them equipped for the reading selection. I will also prepare pre-reading activities that will hook them and give them the opportunity to predict what the story might be about; engage them during reading by asking them to predict and confirm; and enhance their silent reading skills by giving them a purpose for every ready. Lastly, I will develop their reading comprehension skills by teaching them the different strategies they need to better understand a text, such as analyzing word parts, using context clues, scanning and skimming for specific information, and using the visuals to aid their understanding of the story.

To improve their writing skills, I will make sure to give both the process and product the right amount of time needed. First, I will teach students the process they need to undergo before starting a writing piece and show them the steps they need to go through before creating a first draft. I will also teach them how to proofread, and further revise in order to create the best product possible. In addition, students will get the opportunity to experiment with the different types of writings; I will teach them how to write a variety of genres and types of writings, from newspaper articles, to diary entries. They will have the opportunity to choose, from time to time, the topics they would like to embody on paper, while also giving them specific topics to express their opinions on.

In order to build their listening comprehension skills, I will make sure to create meaningful activities where students will be given a purpose for each listening, in order to teach them how to listen for specific details, main ideas, and keywords. Also, students will be asked to predict and later confirm or reject by listening. By doing this, students are learning how to listen with a critical mind which will enable them to use their hearing sense in a more efficient way. Additionally, for their oral production skills, I will make sure to create authentic and meaningful speaking tasks for students to learn how to use the language and generalize every language rule they will be learning in class. Also, students will be taught how to use their language for different purposes, from having a simple conversation, to having a debate on topics related to their lives, to asking for food at a restaurant; they will be taught both the transactional and non-transactional conversations. By doing this I will be ensuring to enhance their speaking skills and prepare my students to be able to use the language in their daily lives.

Furthermore, since practice is the key to success, I will also make sure to give my students as much opportunities to use the language as possible, making sure to build on both their accuracy and fluency. Students will have activities where they will have their mindfulness of language form assessed. They will be asked to display their knowledge on the different rules of the language, and construct the different grammatical forms they will be taught. They will also be given the chance to use the language freely as means of developing their fluency. Additionally, I will make sure to create a space where they feel free to talk and use the language without minding the errors; and where feedback will be given according to the type of mistake and situation.

Also, based on my Practicum I and II experience seeing how fun and colorful activities motivate students and make them eager to learn, I will make sure to always add authentic and meaningful activities for students to learn in a fun way. This would include doing game-like activities, that will create a sense of enthusiasm in students, and will boost their motivation; both being essential to maximize learning efficacy. Not only that, but I will also make sure to make the activities as colorful as possible, for I feel that colors give life, and create positive vibes; and what is better than having happy students feeling positive and alive while learning. In addition, I will make sure to enhance students’ creativity and use of imagination by using a variety of techniques that are more free in nature. Of course I will also make sure to balance between controlled, semi-controlled and free techniques making sure to create a varied range of activities. For balance is the key!

Furthermore, I will prepare my students for what the future might have in store them. Thus, I will not only build on students’ language skills, but also on their thinking skills, making sure to teach them to use the reflective method to define, analyze and establish the criteria that will lead them into producing the best solutions for any problem they might face; building also on their critical and creative thinking skills. Students will not only be trained to think critically, but will also have opportunities to display their skills and share with the class their thoughts and opinions about a topic. As a result of enhancing their thinking skills, students will be encouraged to trust themselves, and use their voice; to break boundaries and follow their guts.

Moreover, I want them to see not only the technical side of the language, but also the artistic side. I want them to experience the magic of words, and poetry; and the power in reading. The healing that comes from projecting one’s thoughts and feelings on paper; or from feeling understood by reading someone else’s thoughts and feelings. I want them to read for fun; to write for pleasure; to listen because they are eager to do so; and to speak with confidence. My goal is to make them fall as in love with the English language as I am, and teach them that being a non-native does not mean they won't thrive.  

Likewise, I will make sure to include the use of technology in my lesson plan, for I believe this is a practice that is widely overseen by teachers. The world we live in has technology in every corner. Therefore, I don’t see how I can teach anything without involving technology in the mix. Students need to learn how to use the technology to enhance their learning; to take the positive side of it and use it to their advantage. This will help me build on their learning autonomy, and teach them how to use every means to enhance their educational journey.

Furthermore, I will make sure to accommodate my classroom and curriculum in order to make it as inclusive as possible. I want my students to have the best learning experience they can have, and I want to give them as many opportunities as possible to succeed. Thus, taking into consideration my students' special needs is something that I won't take lightly. I will also make sure to educate myself on how to deal with students with disabilities; for I want to be able to implement individualized plans if needed and give all students a fair chance. Whether a physical, mental, or psychological disability, I will be prepared to deal with it and accommodate for it. For in my class no students will be left to feel less capable than the other.

Last, but not least, I will make it a priority for students to feel that they are capable of doing everything they put their mind to. Students will be taught that dedication and determination are the key to success, no matter how hard something might seem. I will also show them that I fully believe in them. For as my dearest Dr. Rasha Halat said, teachers’ expectations are self-fulfilled prophecies; and I am determined to guide students into reaching their maximum potential.

All this talk about what I will do and how I will teach, makes me wonder if I will really be able to make it. And it gets me thinking: how long will it take me to find myself as a teacher? Will I be able to color their lives as my teachers did to mine? I wonder if I will be able to make a difference, to impact my students in a positive way; to change someone’s life. Being able to “get to the kids” is what created this urge inside me. That is one of the main reasons a passion for teaching sparked.  Lots of questions that I am not able to answer, not until I have experienced it first hand. Yet, what I do know is all the effort and passion I am willing to put into leading my students into academic and personal success. Another thing I am certain of is the urge I have to leave a legacy in this world; I want to be part of the change that will take us out of the darkness we are living in. I don’t want to run away from the problem, I want to be part of the solution. And I know the key to change lies in the hands of the new generation. They are the answer. My generation is in-charge of paving the way, but they are the ones that will make the change. They are the rainbow that will come after the storm. I need to make sure that they know it and need to teach them how to use the power they have wisely. I know it will be hard. I know it will take time, but I am not planning to give up; and that I am most certain of.