Educational Philosophy
By Marc L. Nash
My personal philosophy is that teaching and learning are a two way street. I will continue to learn from the input of my students on how to be a more effective and caring teacher, keeping in mind that I am as much a learner as I am a teacher. By constantly reflecting on my teaching methods and monitoring carefully the communicative and contextualized activities, I will be a better teacher. I am also aware that my personal philosophy will continue to change as new research and innovative methods influences my profession. 1 feel that my philosophy must be flexible; in keeping it so, it will keep diverse learning styles and personalities in mind. If I were set in my philosophy, then I would be alienating new ideas, the needs and interests of the students and the constantly changing times.
The spirit of the times has forced general philosophies on teaching from the Essentialists, who promoted international knowledge of the classics and an "essential" body of knowledge; to the Reconstructionists who want(ed) teachers to plan lessons and train the minds of the students for the betterment of society and the future; to the current Progressivism, whose main focus is putting the needs and interests of the students first.
Progressivism philosophy does seem to fit my personal views on teaching and molds beautifully with my personality and with what I would feel comfortable doing in a Foreign Language (FL) classroom. With this philosophy, I would make learning individualized, teaching informal, teach language that is authentic and useful for functional activities. My activities or strategies would be communication-oriented to prepare the students to survive where the target language is spoken. Also, for the students to understand and to be understood by native speakers. I will teach functional language for real situations, similar to what natives do in their own land. These activities will keep the students in mind, promote an anxiety/stress free class to encourage expression of their feelings, interests, needs. I am aware that the nature of a FL creates tension by simply being foreign, but I will do my best to keep a relaxed and joyful setting, without sacrificing learning.
Since the language I will be teaching will be for communication, the students need to be given plenty of input and chances to experiment with the language. To keep that low affective filter and promote interaction, students will be sitting with a partner, or in small groups spread throughout the classroom. By doing away with the intimidating "battalion" straight rows, it gives me an open space to move among groups and give personal feedback and clarification, and partake in their communication-oriented activities mainly in the target language. This type of set up promotes a positive atmosphere that is student-centered, as the teacher takes the role of being a guide/facilitator for communication among the groups.
The activities will give the student opportunities to actively communicate and create with the language and show interest and curiosity in others. I feel the students must have that sense of ownership and control of their learning and give them every chance to become physically involved. Being physically involved or "hands-on" manipulation helps to remember and learn.