Tell us about a recent opportunity for professional development.
What did you
learn? How did you use your learning experience in your English language
teaching? (up to 150 words)
I work as an Academic English teacher's assistant at a university, and I will soon be
teaching classes on my own. In our English language teaching department, we have
five teachers, some of whom have over 30 years of experience or hold a Ph.D. This
has provided me with a valuable opportunity to observe their lessons and learn
important strategies. One key lesson I have learned is the importance of having a
backup lesson plan, especially when relying heavily on technology or when students
finish tasks quickly. Incorporating pair or group work is also crucial to keep students
engaged and active during the lesson. Additionally, I have realized that being kind
and approachable is important, but maintaining a sense of seriousness is essential for
maintaining discipline and earning respect from the students.
Initially, I lacked experience in providing feedback to students and would often give
generic comments such as "good job" or "keep working hard." However, I have since
learned from a professor that pointing out strength or weakness sometimes is not
enough and now i occasionally provide critical thinking questions based on students'
work.
Why are you interested to take TESOL Methodology course? How does this
course meet your needs for professional development right now? (50 words)
Nowadays, classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse, and this motivates me to
expand my knowledge of inclusive teaching practices. This course will provide me
with the opportunity to strengthen my understanding and application of differentiation
and scaffolding techniques, two essential approaches in current educational field
which I believe will be invaluable in enhancing my skills as an educator.
What is your current biggest challenge or weakness as an English language
teacher?
Lesson planning can indeed be a challenging task for me. In some cases, when
courses and textbooks provide all the necessary materials, it may seem easier to plan
with minimal changes. However, there are instances when the provided reading or
listening materials may not be suitable for all students in terms of their level of
difficulty. Additionally, selecting materials that cater to the interests of all students
can be a challenge. As a result, I often need to invest a significant amount of time in
searching for and adapting materials to meet the diverse needs of their students.
I guarantee I will complete this online English course because… (50 words)
Because it will greatly benefit my upcoming role as an English teacher for adults.
This course will provide me with the necessary preparation and equip me with
important skills to effectively teach individuals with a good command of English,
which I have not previously experienced.
Additionally, I am confident in my ability to successfully complete this course due to
the availability of international and professional teachers in my workplace who can
provide valuable assistance and guidance. Their expertise will ensure that I receive
the necessary support to overcome any challenges that may arise during the course.
How do you plan to use the skills you acquire in this course?
I can learn a lot from people, establish friendships with peers and eventually build my
team in the future. Many people just come, attend courses and go back. I think it is
very easy to forget everything after a couple of weeks. However, there is a way to
memorize it forever. Usually, after I have attended forums, I share my notes with my
university classmates, we debate different topics and collectively find solutions to
problems. I share my experiences and notes got from real professionals. It gives at
least a small portion of insight to potential changemakers, It might seem very
little but at least, they are motivated to be involved in international forums or online
courses, set up goals, and try to better individuals in the future.