ESL/EAP

Typically, philosophies about ESL will be separated into the categories of speaking, listening, grammar, reading and writing.  While this is true, it is important to focus on the purposes of learning English outside of the academic classroom.  Many students come to the United States to learn English to not only perform well in an American university setting, but also to be able to function as civic-minded adults in an increasingly English-speaking world.  Given this mix of desires, I have chosen to discuss my philosophies of ESL in terms of the academic, social, and professional points of view.

ACADEMIC:  Much of my instruction in the ESL classroom is differentiated.  It is important to meet each student where he or she is by tapping into their background knowledge.  Using pre-assessments (whether they are verbal or written) helps me to tailor my teaching to fit each student individually.  From there, much of my teaching is collaborative and communicative.  My in-class activities are designed for students to work their way through the concept, apply personal knowledge, and drill concepts through speaking, listening, and writing practice. 

SOCIAL:  It is very important to communicate with students outside of the classroom.  As a teacher, I make it a point to get to know my students on a personal level and understand their future goals.  Furthermore, I attend events outside of the classroom.  For example, I attended a inter-center soccer match where I not only talked with students but also played soccer with them.  This social interaction has largely impacted my teaching and allowed for me to better understand my students.

PROFESSIONAL:  It is essential to be well-versed in newer theories and research in the field of linguistics and ESL.  My M.A. in English: Theoretical Linguistics has informed much of my teaching.  I have a deep-rooted knowledge about all aspects of the grammar including phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.  In addition, I serve as the onomastics author of Oxford University's The Year's Work in English.  While my knowledge of linguistics is vital, my philosophy of teaching is also important.  My academic presentations have focused on Common Core State Standards and classroom collaboration.