1. The main focus in a language class should be on meaning:
I teach in Kinder, so my lessons are mainly focused on meaning beacuse my purpose is that my students understand the language and try to produce some words. I really don't teach grammar. They learn the structures through listening to me, but in a very implicit way.
6. With new language learners, teachers need to be gentle and empathetic:
Being gentle and empathetic doesn't mean that you don't establish limits and rules. It means to generate an appropiate atmosphere to learn a second language, which is very important. The anxiety and the frustration don't collaborate with the learning process.
7. Because learners have differing learning styles, a teacher should give individual attention:
This is a very difficult task, but I am convinced that a good teacher must give special attention to each of her students. We are all different, and the perfect classroom doesn't exist. That's why we need to take the time to develop each student's abilities.
10. A teacher's feedback to the student should be given frequently:
I have seen in my students that they inmediately change their disposition to learn when I give them feedback. It is not a matter of positive or negative feedback. It is a matter of showing special attention to that student's learning process. If you need to give negative feedback, you can do it in a good way and the students will be thankful.
María José, I agree with your opinion about number 7 " We are all different and the perfect classroom does not exist. That´s why we need to take time to develop each student´s abilities". But how can one -as a teacher- pay attention to each of the differences the students have? I understand that you are aware of their abilities and diabilities, and you´ll try your best to try to reinforce their abilities, and to decrease or wrok with their disabilties, but how do you do it in practical terms? Do you design a different kind of test? Do you give different feedback? do you teach those girls differently?
ResponderEliminarIt has been really interesting for me to read your comments about the different aspects that will influence our teaching styles.I agree with you when you mention that meaning, anxiety, learning styles and atmosphere are some of the most relevant factors we must consider while we teach.Being able to balance them all will determine our personal approach to teach this language.
ResponderEliminarYes, I think that try to respect different styles and plan classes for each one is not easy, but wiyh young learners we are always making many different activities per class, so they should help to each student to learn according to his/her style or even better to be open to many different styles. It´s an important challenge.
ResponderEliminar