Mi filosofía educativa

FAED 4003

Outline

1. Introduction

a. Purpose of education

b. Learning English and the purpose of education

c. ESL program

2. How learners acquire language

a. Factors that affect their learning

b. Effectiveness in teaching

3. Family’s influence in a ESL learner

a. Family support in student’s life

b. Student’s response to the family behavior

4. Technology in Education

a. Using Technology with ESL learners

b. Technology assists students learning

5. Importance of knowing ESL history

a. Perspective history give a teacher on different methods and approaches

6. Enviroments in an ESL classroom

a. Importance on creating environments that value and support SLA

b. How to promote diversity amoungs students

c. Profesional plans

7. Educational Phylosophy

a. Howard Gardner

b. Lev Vigotsky

c. Eugenio Maria de Hostos

d. Puerto Rico’s department of education’s philosophy

Philosophy

Education serves a great purpose in our society and in ourselves. Its main purpose is to develop in each individual critical thinking skills in order to be able to think rationally when making any kind of decision or getting to a conclusion. It also focuses on developing different kinds of values in those who will become active members of our society in the future. It is because of this, that teaching English as a second language fits into the general purpose of education. English is the most spoken language in the world and since part of the purpose of education is to form individuals who become active members of society, learning this language opens up numerous opportunities for everyone around the world. Imagine this scenario, you are an English teacher and you have 14 students, amongst them, you have a student from China, India, and the rest are from Puerto Rico each wanting to learn the language. The way an ESL program would affect the teaching and learning taking place inside the classroom is by accommodating the students' different language backgrounds and including those different needs in the same program. This is efficient because you won't be isolating any student no matter their background, but rather integrating their individuality and their needs.

As mentioned previously, English learners can be from all around the world and the way they learn a language varies from one person to another. However, ESL students can acquire language through exposure to the language and practice. On the other hand, multiple factors could affect their learning which could include their age, their motivation, attitude, and the amount of exposure they have with said language. In addition, factors such as having a positive learning environment, support at home in using the language, and any disability the learner may have could also affect their learning process in acquiring the language. One has to take into account these factors, as well as the possible scenario in which the teaching will be taken place. As teachers, we will encounter classrooms that will have a diversity of language learners with different levels of knowledge. For example, a classroom in a school in Puerto Rico could have different kinds of students that could be either in their beginning, intermediate, advanced, or advanced high level of proficiency. As an ESL learner myself; having experienced what is like going through the process of learning English in the schools of Puerto Rico, then having to learn about language acquisition in the University and my practicum experience has allowed me to understand to a certain degree the students' point of view towards this language. Part of what I believe will make my teaching effective is that no matter the level of the English learner, I must ensure a comfortable environment for the students to feel safe using a language while speaking, reading, or writing. Exposure and practice matter but also letting the students know that English is more than just a class, learning this language opens doors and opportunities for the future.

One of the aspects mentioned earlier that could affect a student’s learning is the amount of support they receive from their families in learning a language. For example, students who have families that don’t know any English, those who speak, talk and write only in Spanish or other native languages, and members who are or feel reluctant towards the language can influence their children’s behavior. This can cause the students to also feel reluctant toward the language inside and outside of the classroom. If the family encourages the student to read, write, listen to music, watch movies and speak in English this could benefit the student greatly. This is because not only would they have language learning experiences at school but with the help of family members, what they learn could be reinforced at home. The students whose family nucleus create opportunities for them to experience the language in different scenarios could ultimately help with their child’s personal, linguistic, and academic development, as well as improve their skills over time.

Furthermore, nowadays the use of technology has become essential in today’s lifestyle and because education can not ignore this, more schools are integrating technology as part of the learning process. Using technology in a classroom allows the teacher to enhance classroom activities and language learning processes. When it comes to ESL learners technology can also be used with them. Students usually see learning English as something “boring”. However, during my time in the practicum and university I’ve learned that this is not necessarily true, it’s only “boring” if a teacher sticks to the traditional teaching techniques but adding the use of technology is one way to make the learning fun. I’ve learned how to use technology with my ESL students as well as the importance of creating materials that are specific to what I am teaching in class. I believe that teachers should advocate using technology in their class because it can stimulate motivation, make your class dynamic and reinforce learned material.

Knowing the history and researching current practices as an ESL teacher can improve my own way of teaching because it gives me a perfective of the different changes the ESL field has gone through. Having this kind of information gives me the opportunity to see and learn about the different kinds of methods, approaches, and teaching techniques that will benefit students learning the most. The way people taught English a few years ago is not necessarily the same way that teachers today teach English to ESL learners. Therefore, I must have a broad perspective of then versus now, as well as figure out what works best for students. It helps me to learn about what have been the most common struggles for students as well as for the ESL field which is important because that way, knowing about past struggles can help me find possible solutions for current and present problems. It lets me know what are the current practices and developments that will ultimately lead me to form my own opinions, strategies, and approaches as a teacher.

When teaching English is also important to consider having or creating an appropriate environment that values and supports SLA among students. As I previously mentioned in this reflection, classrooms are a very diverse scenario with students with different backgrounds. My job as a teacher is to create a space that makes every student feel comfortable and safe to practice and learn a language they may or may not feel confident with. The way to promote this diversity is by celebrating it, including aspects of their culture in the class, recognizing their own needs and considering them while planning my classes, building positive relationships with peers and amongst their classmates, tutoring sessions, cooperative learning activities, and labeling the classroom with both languages. I believe that doing such things validates the students' diversity and supports their language acquisition process. In addition to creating a safe environment, a way to support the school and community is by continually developing my knowledge. I will do this by studying for a master’s degree because I plan to continue growing professionally. Another way to support my community and school is by tutoring students or any person that needs help with their English language as well as taking professional workshops.

After my own personal experience growing up as an ESL student, then learning about the multiple approaches to teaching a language and the way learners acquire a language, and having my practicum experience I was able to formulate my own personal philosophy. I view myself and my role as a teacher to be more of a facilitator of learning experiences. I plan to assist my students in creating learning environments and experiences that will guide them to build their own knowledge. Help my students to develop critical thinking and get them to formulate their own methods of learning. I believe that I can achieve this primarily by taking into account the students' diversity with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory. This theory states that there is not only one way of thinking or learning but rather each individual has their own intelligence that dominates more so than others. This will allow me to have a better understanding of my students' cognitive abilities. Another theory I resonate with and will practice through my teaching years is The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) by Lev Vigotsky. This theory states that social interaction plays an important role in the student’s learning; meaning that what and who the students surround themselves with will influence them. It states there is a space between what a learner can do with or without assistance, and that is where my role as a facilitator will come in. Understanding my students' ZPD will allow me to align my plans to the specific needs of my students which I believe is extremely important. This is because teaching according to the student's needs will encourage them to be part of the learning process. Finally, another view I want to incorporate is Eugenio Maria de Hostos's educational philosophy which is focused on forming free and independent beings capable of thinking for themselves. His view of the purpose of education aligns with what is the sole purpose of educating, which is forming people capable of critical thinking who will eventually become part or leaders of our society and this is also how I want to contribute to society’s future. In addition, Puerto Rico’s educational philosophy follows as well Eugenio Maria de Hostos's point of view, where students' individuality, figuring their place in society, supporting their social and emotional development, and taking action toward students' educational needs are our educative system's motivation. Having explained both my personal philosophy and Puerto Rico’s educational philosophy, I consider that they align with the end purpose and goal. However, time and experience can make someone improve their views of education, therefore, today this is what will guide my teaching experiences but I am open to changing it or refine it as I gain experience in the education field.

The day I made the decision to become a teacher I knew it was a big responsibility, it wasn't until I began to study it that I came to understand the depth of the impact the educator has on society. One process that is part of our formation is defining or constructing our own views as to our educational ideals and styles. Teachers and what we develop in students is like a seed sown that will eventually bear fruit. This fruit will be that the students will become people and professionals capable of being part of our society. Good, civic people, capable of working as a team for the greater good, expressing their ideas using appropriate language, solving problems, being dynamic and creative people. I have always liked the idea of leaving a mark wherever I am and through the education I will offer is how I think I can achieve it. As a future English language teacher, my role in the classroom is as a facilitator of experiences that promote personal and academic development. So that through education students can become proficient in the language.

In order for each student to achieve success, we must keep in mind that each student reasons in different ways. We must allow students to be able to think and reason for themselves, as this allows them to make learning their own. One way we can develop these capabilities in our students is through constructivism. Having a constructivist approach to teaching and education allows students to take an active role in the classroom. In this way students use prior knowledge along with significant classroom experiences to construct their own learning. I believe that through constructivism it gives students the opportunity to develop critical thinking and this is important because it helps them to form their own opinion, judgment, ideas or vision of the world. Not all children have the same capacities and each one develops them in a different way. In order for students to have an equal opportunity for success, the teacher must create an instructional plan tailored to the needs of the students. This includes using different methods, teaching strategies, and assessment for learning.

Because teachers are in a way farmers of people who will be part of our society, it is essential to contribute to their education not only academically but also morally. The main pillars in the inculcation of values are the family and these will be transferred by the students to the classroom. The school is the next pillar of greatest impact on the lives of students; this is because students relate daily with their teachers and classmates. Teachers play an important role in this because they are the ones who model values primarily in the way they communicate with others and in the way they teach. Respect, honesty, tolerance, solidarity, responsibility, patience, empathy and humility are values that as teachers we must cultivate in our students so that they can be good people in the society they wish to live in. Cultivating values in students is achieved through educational learning experiences where students can put values into practice, by incorporating books that promote them, with definitions and through modeling.

English is a subject, like any other, that not all students will be interested in, since it is a class where not everyone, I encounter will fully understand it. This can hinder the teaching and learning process. I think as second language teachers we should first look at what area the students need reinforcement in. Then incorporate those needs into our teaching plan and through differentiated instruction get them to understand the material and therefore learn. There are benefits when we move away from traditional teaching methods and open the door to constructivist methods. When students build on prior knowledge, they take an active role in their meaning-making process and knowledge can help them succeed in their new language acquisition and literacy development. Students make sense of what they are learning and make connections to prior knowledge to generate new and deeper learning. Having said that, I want to become a facilitator of learning experiences within my classroom so that this can happen.

After the experiences I have had throughout my high school career, I have come to understand that teaching and learning go hand in hand. As we teach, we explain and transmit knowledge through experiences that allow the student to make that knowledge their own, resulting in learning. I think that integrating constructivism with theories such as the Zone of Proximal Development and knowing about the Theory of Multiple Intelligences would help in my English teaching process because they are theories that start from what the student knows and then use this to take them to learning.

My commitment and intention with the students and future members of society is to search for the best strategies, activities or dynamics that best promote learning. My goal is to create a positive environment where students feel comfortable in using a language, they may not fully master. To give a class that motivates them to participate and feel that their needs are not ignored but can be strengthened. In short, with my educational point of view I intend for students to enjoy learning this wonderful language that opens up numerous opportunities.