First, we talked about the role and importance of grammar in teaching ESL students.

“Should we
teach grammar, or should we simply create the conditions by which learners learn naturally?”
(Ellis, 2006a as cited in Spiro, 2013, p. 68). I have the same question in my mind but in my
opinion, as teachers, we should create conditions by which the learners can learn grammar
naturally. It is because, considering grammar in speaking, while interacting with others the
students are not going to recall the rules of grammar and then speak or talk. In order to learn
grammar, students could do some activities in the classroom where they would be learning
grammar for daily use, interacting with people on a daily basis. Learning grammar could be a fun
learning experience for students, which challenges me as a teacher. I come from an educational
background where grammar was taught in a book-based learning style. For example, fill in the
gaps, tick/pick the right answer in a multiple-choice question. I was taught grammar in a
language class along with some novel or a story. But, in the exams, we had a whole section for
grammar where we would write one-word answers, tick the correct answer and sometimes write
a sentence or two. It is going be challenging for me to teach grammar to my students in a real-life
context. Sometimes learning grammar could be hard, confusing and not interesting. I remember
when I was doing my TESOL certificate in New York, we had to take a grammar course in
which we were taught the basics grammar rules and how we would teach it to our students. It
wasn’t interesting for me because I am not much fond of grammar, but as an ESL teacher I might
have to love it or at least feel good about it in order to teach in a fun way. The biggest challenge
will be to combine grammar with the other skills such as speaking, reading or writing. I haven’t
taught grammar to anyone yet and for example, when the students ask why we put ‘go’ and not
‘went’ after ‘did’, I say, because it’s a rule. So, I am not sure how will I explain the rules which
are complicated to my students so that they would understand and would implement it whenever
necessary.
Second, the topic about special needs students or what the MT calls students with diverse
learning abilities, I consider it as a sensitive topic. I have never come across with any student or
anyone with special needs until now. I was fascinated when the MT started talking about her
experience till now with those students and how she assesses them even if they won’t tell her or
anyone about their needs. The important thing is to give students options on what they could do
for an activity or a topic in class and keeping in mind on how to assess them. Building
relationships and try to know what the problem is with the students will be a demanding task for
me and I would need a formal training for this. The whole topic would be a challenge for me
if/when I will get a student with diverse learning abilities. India has different/separate schools for
these students where they have specialized trained teachers and staff. In my school life, I didn’t
come across any students who was studying in a regular school. I am not familiar with how I
should address this topic by which I don’t offend anyone. For my future career, I would need a
special training for this, so that I can assess the students and help them as they need me to. One
thing which she said about moving the students to the next level even if they don’t pass (but with
learning requirement). I think it’s a risk-taking thing to do and trusting on the students that they
will come through it eventually. Some students may and some won’t. It will be a big challenge
for me doing this in my classroom, but I might try doing it to see if it works with my students or
not.