I have wanted to become a teacher for about twelve years now, and each
year I come closer to that goal. Each year I learn more about best
teaching practices and find ways to create the best classroom for my
teaching practices and my students’ learning styles. Through my journey
in this profession, along with my study and experience in the classroom,
I have been able to focus on the most important aspect of being a
teacher: The students. Being a French and English as a New Language
teacher means being an advocate for these students in a constructivist
student-centric classroom.
Students learn best in an environment
where they feel comfortable and are not afraid to ask questions or
approach the teacher. The teacher can create this low affective filter
by setting the mood in the classroom as inviting and nonthreatening.
This can be done by rearranging desks to better facilitate group work,
having culturally relevant and authentic works hanging in the classroom,
and the teacher constantly encouraging students. Creating this safe
environment for the students fosters and facilitates their own learning.
Learning
a second language can be very difficult and stressful for several
students. With learning French, it is easy for students to question the
value of each lesson and wonder why it is necessary to learn the
language. There are several other standards in different content areas
like English and Social Studies that can be met through the French
classroom. It is the job of the French teacher to help students make
these analogies to better their education. The teacher is there to help
the students grow.
For English Language Learners (ELLs), a
student may feel threatened by the implications of English in the school
and feel that the school is discrediting the first language. The
teacher not only needs to make sure that the student feels secure in
learning English and keeping the first language, but the ENL teacher
also has to be the example for the school in showing how using the first
language can help the student with acquiring English.
Students
in an ENL classroom will come from different backgrounds, different
cultures, and different levels of English Language Proficiency. Students
in a French classroom will acquire the language at different rates
depending on the skills emphasized in each lesson. The teacher needs to
make sure that all needs are being met and not just using a blanket
method to get the majority of the bell curve. Using cooperative learning
where students are encouraged to work in groups in class with assigned
roles within the group yield to more language interaction and confidence
in the materials. Using an inquiry-based lesson plan helps students
participate in their own learning and develop critical thinking and
problem solving skills in both the classroom and everyday life. This
also helps develop the Zone of Proximal Development by having students
help each other with their strengths and weaknesses.
Teaching
both French and English as a New Language is completely dependent on the
learners in the classroom at the time, and can change constantly. This
constant change shows the importance of evaluating current practices and
experimenting with the implementation of new practices in the
classroom. Students need to be assessed with a variety of methods of
formative, summative, formal, and informal assessments to show the
growth and acquisition of each language skill. Students learn best when
the teacher is constantly aware of the impact the lessons have on the
students, and is open to feedback, critiques, and suggestions from
students, colleagues, and administrators as far as what the best
teaching practices are for the current students.
Like the
development of this profession, I will continue to develop myself and my
best teaching practices based off of my experiences and my beliefs. The
students’ needs are and will remain my first priority while teaching,
and their needs will be met by my teaching practices.
Want to see more of my education work? View My Digital Portfolio!
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