Eleventh blog entry

Classroom Management

The classroom management refers to a process that teachers guarantee the classroom instruction, the order and effectiveness in which students will learn.

The main goal of classroom management from my point of view is to create and to maintain a good environment that allows students and the teacher to have a good relationship that facilitates the learning process of students.

 Classroom management is not just for teacher’s sanity. It is for the good of your students too. They cannot learn under a chaotic environment and the idea behind classroom management is to prepare them for the learning process

Also the classroom management refers to managing the students, studying in the classroom, the teacher and students’ behavior and the activity; it is the way teachers organize what goes on in the classroom. It contributes directly to the efficiency of teaching and learning as the most effective activities can be made almost useless if the teacher does not organize them efficiently.

Important principles of classroom management

•    Be Definite Know what you want and expect in the classroom.
•      Be Aware teachers have to be aware because students will misbehave. Things will go wrong. And this is our job to be aware of everything that can go wrong in class.
•    Be Calm and Consistent teachers have to be calm and consistent throughout their class.  They have to treat them as they would treat another adult no matter how childish their behavior is.
•   Give them Structure Children demand structure and order in the class.  After knowing what you want in your classroom, it’s time to explain that to your class. Tell them in details your expectations and how you want them to behave in your class.
•   Be positive Always be on the lookout for good behavior and let them know that they are doing a good job.
•    Be interested I think this is one of the most powerful principles in classroom management. By developing a good relationship with your students, you can influence them better towards better behavior and performance in the classroom.
•     Be flexible Trust your instincts and judgment when the situation calls for some flexibility.
•  Be Persistent The classroom management techniques you apply in class might not work immediately. Give it a chance to work before trying something else. Do not give up on your students. Understanding their family background can help you understand better why some of your students misbehave badly.
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The effective use of classroom management by teacher it is very important for them to succeed in their job because, if teachers don’t know how to have a good classroom management, they won be able to do their job in the best way as they should, so that is why teachers have to know the importance of classroom management not only to do their job well but also to help students to learn in the best way as possible.

Tenth blog entry

My motives for teaching

My main motive for teaching is that trough teaching I have the opportunity to help others to be able to reach their dreams and their full potential; I see this as legate for the future generations. Also I get motivated when I see people learn at least a little bit from me and that makes me want to keep going in the same way and to get better as a teacher. I want to become a teacher in order to transmit knowledge of what I know and all the things that I have learned.

Rewards or incentives I got from teaching.

To get rewards or incentives go beyond of having a salary every month for me it is more important to help others to reach and to make their dreams come true; I think money is a plus but what it really matters to me is that I have the opportunity to change somebody life and to help that person to succeed in life. When my students learn the contents, they do the activities that I prepared for them;  when I see that they have accomplish the activity, there is when I get my reward because I have helped somebody to learn and that is a priceless feeling to any teacher;  that is definitely the best award to me.

Do my motives interfere with my students needs?

I don’t think that my motives interfere with my ability to put the needs of my students ahead or mine because my main motive is to help my students to learn in order for them to reach their dreams and their full potential and this is also my rewards because when it comes about my work as a teacher this is the best reward that any teacher can get because there is nothing better than to see others learning and becoming successful.

Ninth blog entry

Things I like about working with teenagers.

There are many things that I really like when it comes about teaching teenagers. Well we all already know that the teen years are a time of transition from becoming a dependent child to a young adult who is capable of taking care of themselves. During this stage of transitional physical and mental human development, teens tend to seek independence.

What I like about teaching teenagers is:

•   Teenagers are highly motivated people, who have a desire to be involved in the class activities.
•  They are enthusiastic; I sow this attitude, when I gave them interesting and meaningful activities in which they learned and had fun at the same time.
• They are energetic; they really like to play fun actives and they always try to give the best of them but only when they are interested in the activity.
• The passion of the students to be self dependent; they are always trying to do all the activities for themselves without the teachers help.
• They like to ask question if they haven’t understood the topic of the class.

I really like these attitudes of teenagers because if they feel involved in the class and also if they feel interested in the activities they tent to learn easily and that is why teachers have to look for the most suitable activities for teenagers.

The things I don’t like about teaching teenagers are:

•        They get distracted easily, especially when they are doing an activity in which they don’t feel interested in it.
•       They are rebel because they don’t like to follow the rules and they want to do the things that they like to do even though, if those things are not good for their academic development.
•         They are very talkative because they like to be taking in the class instead of being paying attention to the class.
•          They are very competitive and as a result they get involved in faiths with their classmates.
•          They complain about everything that happen to them

Even though teaching teenagers is a hard job is definitely a great experience to any teacher and I haven’t been the exception. I learned a lot from this experience because now I know how to teach teenagers; especially I know how they behaved and in the future when I have to teach teenagers again I will be ready to help them to learn in the best way possible.

Eighth blog entry

What can the World Wide Web offer ESL/EFL teachers?

The World Wide Web for sure it can help ESL/EFL teachers. The internet is very useful   for teaching English. Teachers can use it for getting information for their classes, including teaching plans and material for classroom use. 

There are a lot of pages in which teachers can put their students to study a specific topic because in the net we can find a lot of English pages, that were created with the purpose to help people to learn English in a easy way and the majority of these pages are easy for students to understand the contests and we can take advantages of these resource.

When we take advantage of these resource we are helping our students to learn in a better way, because they can find these pages interesting and the class it will be more dynamic and result more interesting for students because not all our students are interested in learning English but if we use these tools, we can stimulate our students to learn English also they are going to understand that the learning English could be a interesting and enjoyable process.

The internet is a way for students and teachers to learn and to connect with others for example the teacher can use the social networking to communicate with their students and to help them to accomplish a task; also the teacher can ask their students to send their homework to the teacher e-mail.

So the internet is an exciting resource for teacher. When teachers use the internet to teach the internet can make teachers’ live simpler and can provide more information and resources that help students to learn better also the internet can be fun for students and teachers alike.

Seventh blog entry

How can the standard-features word-processing programs be exploited for teaching writing skills?

All the standard-features word-processing help us to teach writing skills. Most of us are familiarize with word processing packages such as Microsoft Word and this because well have been using Microsoft office since we were in junior high school. Also help us when we have a document the required to be type on a computer but office not only helps us to present our teaching job but also help our students to elaborate their homework. Nowadays this kind of technology has become very important in our daily life because is not longer often to present a hand-written homework to our teachers.

Standard Features word processing are:

All word processing applications allow us to:

·         Enter and edit text

·         Save

·         Print

·         Cut/copy/paste

·         Check your spelling

This standard features word processing help us as well as our students, because it allows us to type our information and in the same way we are practicing our writing skill, while we are typing a lot of words, we also are remembering how to write those words and to express our thoughts when we are accomplishing specific task. Also it helps us to look for information; when we do not know exactly what should we write or when we do not know a certain word but the standard features word processing also check our spelling, because sometimes we are not so sure what is the correct way to write a word and this feature indicates us if we have committed a written spelling.

Base on that previous information, I can say that these features help us a lot because we can improve our writing skills as well as our students will improve their writing skills too.

Sixth blog entry

Do you think technologies should play a central or a peripheral role in second language teaching and learning?  Why?

I think the technology should play a central role in learning a second language and also in teaching the language. Technologies help us a lot, special when it comes about learning a second language because it provide authentic source of the language also technologies help us to keep in touch with the second language especially when we do not live abroad and we do not have enough contact with the language.

Technology can help students be better learners. It gives us the tools and those tools are valuable in communication as well as providing information. Technologies is constantly involving us for all the things the it gives to us because technology not only gives us the opportunity to relax watching a movie, listening to music or just searching the net just to have fun but wiht technology we can improve our skills especially our listening and reading and these is possible through watching a movie or listening to our favorite music it also give us the opportunity to chat with native English speakers.

Having technology makes research much easier. Before the invention of computers and the internet, students had to go the library to get their resource material. It is said that technology helps students to learn in many ways. With the help of technology the learning can be made more interactive to students because students will be able to understand the topics by simulation of real world problems also they can see more clearly how things happen and works.

I can say from my own experience that technology really helps people to learn; I used to learn English trough internet and found it very useful, I can add that, it is one of the best way to find a lot of exercises and materials, especially when you leave abroad.

Definitely technology helps us to learn a second language as well as to teach a second language because it gives us the tools that we need to learn and improve our skills; it also facilitates us the access of information and to communicate we native English speakers.  And base on that we have to take technology into account when we are teaching a foreign language because using it we will help our students to learn in a better way.

Reflection on my Teaching

Reflecting on my Teaching

Was the instructional objectives met? How do you know students learned what intended?

Yes, It was met because my objective for the present simple class was “at the end of the class students will be able to use the simple present correctly” and they learned how to use the simple present during the class and I know that because they did a homework and base on that homework I realized that they learned also when I did the review they demonstrated that they had learned the simple present.

Were the students productively engaged? How do you know?

My students were productively engaged because they performed all the activities well, when I thought them simple present. I had prepared for them interesting and effective activities in order for them to learn the simple present in an easy form and they did; also I tried to look for the most suitable activities for them.

Did you alter your instructional plan as you taught the lesson? Why?

No, I did not alter my instructional plans because I consider myself as a very organized person and maybe a little bit too much. I like to have everything prepared and also I like to have some extra activities just in case of one activity would not work  well in the class, but I did not need any of the extra activities, that I had prepared because I chose the most suitable activities for my students and those activity worked well in the class so that is why I did not alter my instructional plan for the simple present class.

What additional assistance, support or sources would have further enhanced this lesson?

To present the simple present I did it through poster. The poster helped me to teach them because every time I thought them a class and I used a poster or any other support to give the class; I realized that students paid more attention when I used posters, audios or flashcards and that is why every class I tried to have additional assistance.

If you had the opportunity to teach the lesson again to the same group of students, would you do anything differently? What? Why?

Well I think that I did a good job when I tough the class of simple present but also I know that I have to improve more to be better when I am teaching. I think if I had the opportunity to teach the lesson again I would not make a lot of change because I think I succeed teaching the  simple present, but I would change when I was asking for participation, because not all of them did participate in the class but the majority did, but if I had the opportunity I would like to make all of them participate, I would look for some activities that would help me to make them participate, but that is the only thing that I would change about the simple present class.

Fifth blog entry

The role of research in improving our understanding of teaching

I think that this research help us as teacher to understand in a better way. Teachers are always learning, finding out things, analyzing information, adapting their behavior according to information received, looking to improve and adapting to modern demands. All of this constitutes research.

Research is understood as all the things that teachers do. Working with students to facilitate learning, teachers develop lesson plans, evaluate student work, and share outcomes with students, parents, and administrators. Designing and implementing a plan of action, observe and analyze outcomes, and modify plans to better meet the needs of students is call research.

Teachers project their own personality upon learning experiences when they are teaching and this sometimes can be a success or a fail but to be a success or a fail depends on students responds to their teacher’s personalities and experiences.    

                                              

Research methodologies give teachers the tools to analyze and make informed decisions about their practice also research helps teachers to share information or even techniques with colleague because research gives teachers the opportunity to develop new and different relationships with both colleagues and students. Too often research looks backwards and there are lessons to learn. Based on that I can say the research plays a big role in teacher’s improvement and understanding of teaching.

Teacher research empowers teachers to thoughtfully examine and analyze their teaching in order to improve it because if they really understand what teaching really means they are going to do their job in an effective way because teaching goes beyond of transferring knowledge to their students.

 The strength of teacher research is the development of a better understanding of classroom practice also this understanding help teachers to improve their way of teaching in order to be more effective in their job.

It is very important for teachers to use research in order to achieve success in their job but also they are going to help their students to learn and they are going to feel satisfied with their job.

Fourth blog entry

My experiences in learning a foreign language.

Learning a foreign language, it could be difficult for all the things that leaning a new language implies; at the very beginning it seems that is very difficult and sometimes you feel like you never are going to be able to communicate in the new language but never giving up is the key to succeed.

When I just started learning English as a foreign language, I was so excited because it is an interesting language to learn. I remember that when I started learning English I didn't know anything about the language because when I was in high school I didn't learn anything.  I decided to learn English because I was really interested in the language so I decided to study English.  I started learning English by myself trough the internet and watching videos like Ingles sin barreras and I can say that I learned a lot from those videos  at least I learned the basic things of English but at that time I felt that I needed to study English in a formal way because I needed to practice my English with other people also I needed someone to correct my mistakes so I decided to study English as a major because it was the best decision that I could ever make because I am learning English and at the same time I am studying to become a professional.

In addition I can say that I have learned a lot from my teacher, because I am in contact with the language and in some way I can play with the language with my classmates and the best of all I am corrected when I make mistakes.

 I characterize the teacher’s teaching method.

Teacher’s teaching method is effective only when it gives good result on students; if the method that the teacher applies in his classroom is effective I mean if students learn with that method that’s mean that they have made a good decision in selecting that method.

I think one of the most effective methods I have been thought is trough the “PPP” Presentation, Practice and Production “Presentation” involves presenting the target language to the students generally through testing the students to see if they know it and then providing the language. “Practice” is where the students practice the target language. “Production” is the stage of the lesson where the students take the target language and use it in conversations to talk about themselves or their daily lives or situations.

I find this method effective in students who already know at least a little bit of English because through the PPP students have the opportunity to learn new vocabulary, to practice that vocabulary and after that students can produce the vocabulary in daily conversations. But when it comes with students that don’t know English at all I think the grammar translation method could work out well because this would be their firsts contact with the language also teacher can explain something really well if students don’t have get the meaning of a word so that’s why a find this method effective with beginners.

But any method that the teacher decide to use it could work; if they apply  well the method the they have chosen but this also depends on the needs of the students and also in students capabilities.

Third blog entry

What is the different between teaching approach, teaching method, teaching techniques and teaching strategies?

To know what are the different between teaching approach, teaching method, teaching technique and teaching strategies we have to know first each meaning.

Teaching approach

Teaching approach refers to a set of correlative assumptions dealing with the nature of language teaching and learning. In others word teaching approach help teacher to help students to learn the language.

Teaching method

Teaching method comprises the principles and methods used for instruction.  Commonly used teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these. The choice of teaching method or methods to be used depends largely on the information or skill that is being taught, and it may also be influenced by the aptitude and enthusiasm of the students.

Teaching technique

Teaching technique is systematic procedure, formula, or routine by which a ta is accomplished besides It is a particular trick, procedure to accomplish an immediate objective. In other words are the different activities the teachers do to help students to do a task.

Teaching strategies

Teaching strategies is generalized plan for a lesson or lessons which include structure, desired learner behavior, in terms of the goals of instruction and an outline of tactics necessary to implement the strategy. It also includes all approaches that a teacher may take to actively engage students in learning. These strategies drive a teacher's instruction as they work to meet specific learning objectives. Effective instructional strategies meet all learning styles and development needs of the learners.

Based on the definition of teaching approach, teaching method, teaching technique and teaching strategies I can indentify the difference between them are:

I learned that teaching approach is a set of theories and principles about the nature of language and language learning in other words teaching approach is refers to the teacher’s philosophies and belief about how is he going to help students to learn the language.  Teaching method is the way teacher apply these theories and principles also method is the plan that teachers use to present the language material to be learned for students.  Teaching technique are the tools and the tasks that teachers use to make their method succeed that is to say that teaching technique is a very specific trick or procedure designed to accomplish an immediate objective. Teaching strategy is a general plan that help teachers to reach the overall objectives also  strategies require teachers to link multiple tactics and techniques to achieve a higher goal. Based on that an approach is transfer into the method that contains the techniques with series of procedures and strategies that teachers implement to accomplish the objectives to help students to learn the language.

To conclude what I can say is that approach, method technique and strategy need to be applied for teachers in order to accomplish the educational aims.

Second blog entry

Most important purpose in education  is "Self fulfillment"

To understand why self fulfillment is the most important purpose in education, first we have to analyze the meaning of self fulfillment.  Self fulfillment is defined as the ability to make yourself happy and complete through your own efforts in other words is  the motivation to realize one's own maximum potential  and possibilities to be success in life.

We all know that Education is very necessary for human in order to articulate themselves and achieve fullness. Education is concerned with the full development of the individual's powers and potentialities in addition education help students to set their minds free from ignorance also education  gives students the tools needed in order to help them to reach their power and potentialities to be successful in their  life.

As Maria Montessori said "To educate in its fullest sense is to create conditions in which the child can live and is led by these conditions to live as fully as possible through each succeeding stage of his development, meeting and solving in his own experience the problems of each stage as it comes, and so gaining the power to meet and to solve the problems that await him in further stages. Such conditions it is for a school to provide."

How can we help our students reach their potential to the fullest?

Education should provide the opportunities for fullest development of individual’s talents and personality. It should help every child to develop their potential, interest and abilities. Through education, the teachers help students to reach their talent and potential and develop their personalities so that they can improve their lives and transform their societies in future.

Teaching goes beyond of trespassing information from teachers to students because teacher must help their students to learn about their strengths and then help them to learn the skills that they need to maximize their personal potential also to help them to set personal goals and to develop skills to achieve their goals.

After all, what is most important is not what students learn; teacher must emphasis in helping students to develop their skills to reach their personal goals and also to help them to overcome their weakness. Thus, the emphasis of education should never simply be to have students obtain knowledge but it should be to have students analyze, evaluate, use, and build upon what they have learned to reach their goals.

Base on that I as a pre-service teacher my main goal is that all my students learn about their strengths and interest, as well the skills that they need to set and follow to reach their goals and to develop their potential to the fullest.

How can we, teachers, be a source of inspiration to our students?

First able we need to define what inspiration is so inspiration is defined as  the action or power f moving the intellect or emotions of a person in other word inspiration is when we inspired other in order to make them want to be better in some specific way.

Teachers sometime think the little things that they do to help students to learn are very insignificant in their student’s life and this can happen because students don’t show their emotion to the teacher but it is well known that the little things that the teacher do can make big difference in students and that little difference can inspired students to learn and to reach their goals.

So what can teacher do to be a source of inspiration?

Some of the things that a teacher can do are

·         Teacher insists that each student do the best he or she is capable of doing. Students will feel comfortable because they know that their teacher believes in their capabilities and also that they can learn because the teacher is giving them the support that they need.

·         Teacher requires each student to think carefully and to make her his own decisions. Sometime students feel that they cannot make their own decision because of the self steam issue that their facing but if teacher give them the confidence and help them to believe in themselves and also tell them that there is nothing wrong with expressing their ideas and it is okay to be wrong sometimes because nobody is perfect as a result students are going to feel better with the teacher.

·       Teacher produces students who are respectful, responsible, and successful. If students learn from their teacher that they need to be respectful and responsible in order to be successful in life only in that way teacher have accomplished their purpose.

In conclusion what teachers do to help students learn and also how the teacher make feel the students in the classroom are the thing that can change student’s life forever. Teacher can be a source of inspiration for their students just with giving them confidence and believing in them also helping them to maximize their potential and helping them to set goals to be success in life.