Aprender y Enseñar

Education is a powerful tool that opens doors to students' lives. It helps them with their educational and personal development. Within this, we are going to find aspects such as interdisciplinarity, diversity and environment that influence the way in which teaching, and learning take place. Reflecting on each of these components allows me to have a clearer idea and vision of what I would like to incorporate in my classroom.

English is not a subject that is taught in schools without any practical use or without any connection to other subjects. English is the most widely spoken language in the world and learning to communicate through English provides countless opportunities. Students who are able to understand the language have more job opportunities, the possibility to experience other cultures and to communicate with people from different countries. My job as an educator is to help them make connections between the language and the material around them. Learning English encompasses the disciplines of reading, writing, and oral communication skills that are used on a daily basis, so each goes hand in hand. Developing this and linking it with other subjects allows for an expansion of vocabulary and better understanding of the application of this language to the environment. To achieve this interdisciplinary aspect can be by integrating stories or novels with history, rich in vocabulary, the teacher can also have the students do oral reports or act out their favorite part of the novel. These are just a few examples on integrating subjects such as history, theater, Spanish and and grammar. Having an interdisciplinary approach to my classes enables me to help my students understand that English goes beyond what it is taught inside the classrooms and develops a deeper understanding.

Another area within the educational environment is the diversity that makes up a large student population. Within a classroom we will find students with different socio-cultural backgrounds, with different abilities and ways of learning. A differentiated education takes into consideration the student's need and around it is that it plans how the class will be taught, what assessment methods will be used and how these methods will measure that learning has been achieved. These adaptations can be made through the IEP and incorporating different strategies to make learning meaningful. In a classroom, in addition to the diversity of intelligences, there is also diversity of beliefs, race and gender. To promote a healthy and safe space for all, the teacher must treat everyone in the classroom equality, with respect and being objective with all students. An example of activities promoting diversity include: paired group activities, creating classes and materials that take in consideration the students individual needs, etc. During my field of experience, I have observed how differentiated instruction that respects diversity helps students feel comfortable in their classroom, with their teachers, and with their peers. Integrating differentiated instruction focused on the needs of students while respecting the diversity of each student allows for a classroom of acceptance and equal opportunity, important aspects of the learning process.

In order for the learning process to take place, motivating environments help greatly in this. One way to motivate students is to incorporate educational games such as technological games or board games adapted to the subject matter. Ways to stimulate critical thinking is when we put situations and questions for students to answer. These questions or exercises have to stimulate and lead students to generate answers beyond remembering previously given information. Today, with all the technological advances, it has become more accessible to incorporate technology into the classroom. As mentioned above, technological games such as Nearpod, Kahoot, games created with PowerPoint, etc. are technological materials that students enjoy very much. Therefore, if an educator can incorporate the likes and interests of the students and have them learn and have fun in the process, this causes students to become more receptive to the subject being taught and as a result, increases motivation. Having a classroom that caters to diversity and integrates different disciplines awakens the interest of our students. When a teacher recognizes student effort, makes connections to real life and content, and demonstrates a good attitude, also helps to create motivating environments. I believe these should be the goal, create a space where each student, no matter their different background or abilities have the opportunity to develop their skills.

English is a such an important subject to teach because it is used in our everyday life and it will help us have the chance to obtain future opportunities. That is why it needs to be taught by relating it to other disciplines, while also creating a classroom environment that respects diversity and promotes motivation. In doing so, it changes the teachers role to more of a facilitator of knowledge and makes room for students to be part their own learning process.