Teaching Philosophy

Based on my personal experience as a student, I know that each student in a

classroom has unique experiences and background knowledge that they bring with
them. My philosophy about teaching is to provide a classroom environment which
values, and embraces what my students bring with them, and then build upon it. To
accomplish this, I think it is very important to be intentional in knowing who my
students are, so that they also get to know me in the process in a way that it makes
them comfortable, and relaxed in a bid to diffuse the anxiety that often times adds to
the pressure of learning, and performing well in a second language. When students
know it is human, and normal to make mistakes, they can ease themselves and learn
better. I know this because that is how I learned English as a second language-by
stumbling on the way, and improving my mistakes in the process. I therefore feel
making a conscious effort to know the students, is a very essential component of
teaching, and learning.
I remember my first day in elementary school when we were introduced to
the alphabet, and then letter, and word combinations eventually. We made many
mistakes in reciting these new words as we learned, laughed at each other but
through much scaffolding, humor, and patience, Mr. Laisin taught us this new
language with such enthusiasm that we learned a lot in the process. I eventually
learned English vocabulary faster, first by the interactive, and engaging way the
teacher taught us- through visuals, drama, song, and recitals. The connections I was
able to make through words and meanings drawn from familiar local examples, and
how they are used, enhanced my learning, and have stayed with me today- a direct
result from the engaging teaching methods of Mr. Laisin. This, he accomplished
through a lot of singing, accompanied by pictures and translations to, and from my
language, Lamnso, which made learning easier as we jig-sawed through acquainting
ourselves with new words. It encouraged my friends and I to practice through song
while away from class, that sharing knowledge became an immediate way of
deepening our learning and building camaraderie that would last a long while in the
years to come. He has since inspired me to become a teacher and I hope to offer my
students even better, and innovative teaching, as well as learning opportunities in
an environment that fosters respect, patience, and tolerance for one another. This in
itself creates an open-mindedness that both uplifts everyone, and values difference
that is celebrated in such ways that promote learning. These have been impacting,
and lasting memories that have stayed with me until today.
I am a very patient and compassionate person and learning a second
language at an older age can carry some frustrations with them. I like to make
learning very interesting and fun for my students. I will always like to ensure that
my students understand the content I am teaching by constantly checking upon
them. This way I become familiar with the students needs, and learn from them in
the process too, and this helps to improve my teaching over time.

I now realize that my prior conceptions and experiences will impact the way
I teach in the future. Though I had fun, compassionate, interactive and friendly
teachers along my educational path, I also know the setting was a little different in
my classroom in Cameroon, Africa. With limited resources, often times lecturing was
an inevitable component of the teaching process. I fear I may relapse to that
occasionally but I will work hard to overcome this and be a better teacher for my
students.
My teaching experience at the IEC has exposed me to such diversity in the
classroom that has enriched me tremendously. During my time in the MA-TESL
program, I have learned several teaching approaches that I use with English
Language Learners that work well for learners across different levels. My favorite
teaching styles is the Total Physical Response (TPR)- especially for beginners,
dictated stories, and culture studies. These help to teach them vocabulary in very
interactive ways, while culture studies, especially for international students expose
them to American culture-enabling Americans to learn about foreign cultures in the
process as well. This fosters a spirit of tolerance and acceptance.
I have learned so much in the MA-TESL program and as a teacher in the
process. I do know that I still need to learn a lot more in order to become the
effective teacher I intend to be. My ultimate goal is to help my students learn, and to
learn as much from them in the process too.