As evidence of my competency of “Communication” I offer as evidence the project My Favorite Food! During January 2025, on my practicum I began my student teacher experience by teaching my students under the unit My beautiful Island! With this unit one of our goals was to teach them Puerto Rican Food vocabulary. With this in mind, as recommended by my cooperating teacher, I decided to give my second graders a special project. With this special project they had to select their favorite food, provide an image of it, and write four sentences about the food. 

As an English as a Second Language teacher communicating effectively and appropriately is a must. Teaching my students the importance of it and providing them with the opportunity to put those skills into practice is also essential. With this special project they had the opportunity to gain knowledge through a meaningful experience that involved their interests and personal experiences. As well as putting into practice the four language arts that help individuals communicate, reading, writing, listening and speaking. They had to think about their favorite food, write about it, deliver an oral presentation, and listen to their classmates do the same. But first they had to practice with a partner how to deliver it!

  Language is a powerful tool to stimulate oral and written expression. Being an English as a Second Language Teacher it is imperative to have mastery of written and non-written communication in all of its content areas. Throughout my practicum experience I have had the opportunity to use my ability to communicate in English fostering English language skills in my students while modeling how to use it correctly alongside other techniques like Total Physical Response and others. Oral presentations like these ones serve as tools to stimulate oral and written communication in my students while encouraging collaboration. For example, when I implemented this I observed how one of my students helped two of her classmates on their pronunciation for their oral presentations. Allowing them to challenge themselves and providing space for them to practice the language. This activity has allowed me to realize the importance of peer work and exposure to the language is to achieve mastery of a language that will lead to authentic communication.

I share with you as evidence of competency #6 in communication, an essay that I titled "Franklin’s Defense Regarding Indian Civility". I wrote this essay as a requirement for the course Ingl3251: American Literature until 1865, offered by professor Maritza Stanchich during the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year.

With this evidence I demonstrate that I have a complete domain over demonstrating correctness in the use of nonverbal communication and that I know and recognize the value of language as a tool to simulate written expression. For this task I was required to read Benjamin Franklin's text “Remarks concerning the savages of North America” and comment on its relationship with Native Americans. I demonstrate correctness by using the English language in a correct and appropriate manner with an academic tone. I state my thesis and message clearly, use correct punctuation, subject verb agreement, proper use of upper and lower case letters; overall I demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the use of the English language. 

Being good communicators is inherent to humans, we are naturally social beings. Having the competency of being effective communicators ensures that as educators we are helping students in a clear and understandable manner. Communication in any form also serves as a tool that invites the reader to question what they read and their own thoughts. It also provokes the reader to produce their own answers and inquire on the topics. Even though this evidence does not strictly show a relationship with teaching, it does show my abilities and what I can achieve in a classroom through the written language.