Teaching

At the College of Basic Education, English Department, I am teaching the following;

1. Applied Grammar

2. Translation from English to Kurdish and vice versa (E-K and K-E)

3. Linguistics

4. Phonetics and Phonology

5. Methods of Teaching

6. Semantics & Pragmatics

and supervising senior students' research papers

My Philosophy in Teaching

My teaching is somewhat eclectic and resists a neat philosophical classification. What I will attempt to do is to identify some themes, which emerge from my teaching and let others determine whether these themes constitute any coherent pattern. At the outset, I would state that teachers impart more by way of example than precept, and that students are very perceptive in recognizing when a teacher does not practice what he preaches. There are several values that I try to teach students, both by my words and my actions. Included among these are the following: the importance of organization, preparation, and homework; respect for other people and their views, the value of clear and effective communication in both written and oral form; the importance of respecting others. Another important theme of my teaching is to emphasize the value of critical scholarship, which not only clearly describes the present state of the education but explores what the education should be. I also encourage students in their own research papers to move beyond the mere description of the present state of the anything to make constructive suggestions for a better education. It is important for students and teachers to realize that pedagogy and scholarship are allies rather than enemies in the academic enterprise. While it is hard to say this without sounding like a cliché, I try to teach in a human and humane fashion. Unless there is a climate of mutual respect in the classroom, students will be very reluctant to add to the conversation. I have been pleased that my formal evaluations and the informal student feedback would suggest that I have had some success in creating a learning environment in which students feel safe, yet stimulated and encouraged. This means they are free to contribute to the class and develop their ideas. One of my objectives is to do my small part to humanize education and remind students that education is really about resolving people's problems. A final theme in my teaching, which I will emphasize, is teaching in an inclusive fashion. The theme of inclusiveness is reflected in my curriculum vitae, pedagogical publications course innovations, peer evaluation and continuing education. We must take account of diversity in our teaching. This means who we teach, what we teach, and how we teach must take account of equity concerns and celebrate the diversity of our student body.