PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH: MY BELIEFS AND PHILOSOPHY AS A TEACHER, AND HOW THEY AFFECT MY CLASSROOM

A Reflective Approach To Teaching​

By Isabella Dorgu

02 April, 2022​

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1. What is the difference between a belief and a philosophy?

2. Based on your definition of the above, what are "teacher beliefs"?

3. How do your beliefs and philosophy as a teacher connect with the classroom?

DISCUSS

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

The feeling of being certain that something exists or is true.

#Iamapanda​

- Cambridge Dictionary​

​​BELIEF

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A particular system of beliefs, values and principles that guide behaviour.

#pandasmakecoolteachers

- Cambridge Dictionary​

​​PHILOSOPHY

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​- Michael Borg (2001)

" Teacher beliefs (philosophy) are guiding principles which serve as lenses through which experiences can be understood, thereby guiding decision making and interaction with students. " 

Open Ended

What factors shape our beliefs as ESL teachers?

Discuss with your partner and then type in your answers.

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​BALLI

Factors that shape our beliefs as ESL teachers according to the experts.

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​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

BELIEFS ABOUT LANGUAGE LEARNING INVENTORY​ (BALLI)

1. Difficulty of language learning

2. Foreign language aptitude​

3. The nature of language learning

4. Learning and communication strategies

5. Motivations and expectations​

​THE ELAINE HORWITZ INSTRUMENT

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

1. background experience as students, particularly, as language students

2. the teaching methodology

3. learners and how they learn

4. the classroom and the teacher's role within it

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

1. background experience as students, particularly, as language students

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

Poll

My experience as a student...

• was very traditional with a focus on passing exams.

• involved more dynamic activities.

• was a mix of both a) and b)

• I don't remember.

Poll

I learned a second (or third, fourth- you catch the drift) language...

• at school

• by myself (I'm a genius!)

• in a language school

• What do you speak of??

Poll

Language learning for me involved...

• mainly grammar exercises. There was little interaction.

• communication in the real world, for example, at home.

• both a) and b)

• I still know not what you speak of!

Poll

In language classes, I took criticism...

• pretty well. I like springboards.

• not very well. Clams are my favourite animals.

• It didn't bother me. I'm made of steel.

• Now I'm completely lost!

Poll

Learning another language was...

• easy for me

• quite difficult

• fun

• a mix

• terrifying

Poll

In the classroom, I find myself...

• using methods from my student days

• trying hard to be very different from my language teachers

• trying to make it as fun as possible. I missed out on that!

• Wondering about my life choices.

​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

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2. the teaching methodology

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

Poll

My methodology involves...

• grammatical structures- Accuracy is da bomb!

• eclectic methods- I use everything I can, nothing is wasted.

• lots of interaction- I'm a social soul.

• mostly skills based.

• The lexical approach- Vocab rules!

Poll

How do you handle decision making in class?

• Decisions are made during lesson planning.

• I sometimes let my students decide the direction of the lesson.

• I can't stand any deviations from my lesson plan.

• I can make decisions on the go.

Poll

I present grammar...

• methodically. 1+1=2, innit?

• from a fun, light angle. I hate teaching points that are hard to make light.

• I try to get it over with quickly. Ask me no further questions please!

• Say what? Gra-what?

• by making students "notice" it- I looove those "aha" moments.

Poll

When teaching skills, I tend to focus more on...

• READING- I love books and I think everyone should too.

• LISTENING- How can you speak without comprehension?

• WRITING- Such a shame to lose an important skill in the real world.

• SPEAKING- That's what most of my students want anyway.

• PRONUNCIATION- Siri isn't fun to listen to.

Poll

I like to use...

• games, pictures, memes, etc.

• videos and audios- I love me some TED.

• drills and repetition

• role-plays

• word lists

​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

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3. the​ learners and how they learn

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

Poll

What do you think of students who come to study English in Malta?

• They're just here for a holiday. Motivation to learn is mild.

• Some are highly motivated.

• They just want to speak.

• Others-

  My thoughts are too complex for you.

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Cathy loooves when you use pictures and realia in class. She's most likely a...

• spatial learner.

• fun-loving gal.

• physical learner.

Multiple Choice

Luca and Aya sit next to each other. The latter wants to talk forever while the former just wants to be left alone to reflect.

They are... respectively.

• verbal and intrapersonal learners

• intrapersonal and interpersonal learners

• interpersonal and intrapersonal

Fill in the Blanks

Poll

I think I should be a walking English encyclopaedia for my students. It's what they expect.

• Most def.

• Not really.

Poll

Most students...

• want to have clear, structured lessons.

• don't really care whether there's a lesson plan or not.

• would like to choose what they learn.

• have no idea what's going on.

Poll

I can often read into the emotions of my students (e.g. anxiety, having a bad day) and act accordingly.

• Most of the time. Empathy's my middle.

• Sometimes.

• Once in a blue moon.

• Am I therapist or what?

Poll

Students don't really care about accuracy so why bother?

• Word!

• I beg to differ!

• Somewhat...

Open Ended

Do you believe understanding your students can help you facilitate learning in the classroom?

Discuss and punch in some notes.

​FACTORS THAT CAN SHAPE OUR BELIEFS

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4. t

5. he Classroom and the teacher's role within it

Isabella Dorgu

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

Draw

What's your current classroom arrangement?

Draw

What would be your ideal classroom arrangement?

Poll

Things I believe affect my performance in class:

• A silent room

• Mixed level classes

• An overly loud class

• A lesson that appears too easy or difficult

• That one annoying student!

Poll

In class, I want to be...

• paid attention to

• liked

• seen as fun

• respected

• left alone

Poll

I believe in...

• using what has always worked. Nothing new, thank you.

• experimenting and learning as a teacher. Adventure is my middle name.

• a bit of both

Poll

In class, I am the...

• facilitator- I chant, stand back and watch the magic happen.

• lazy-bone- Minimal effort, peeps.

• authority- I demand obedience.

• personal model- Please follow my lead.

• Expert- Contact me for all things English.

Poll

Teachers shouldn't show how they really feel about a student. (e.g. anger or frustration)

• Absolutely not! Control yourselves people!

• Why not? Learners need to see us real people too.

• I only show the positive emotions. #positivity

• What are emotions?

Poll

For most of the lesson, I often tend to...

• stay in front of the room.

• move around a bit.

• stay off to the side waiting for my cue.

• focus on the corner of the room with the most active students.

Poll

I don't think teachers can really motivate specific students.

• You can say that again!

• Why not?

• Hmmm, depends...

Poll

What do you think is the best way to provide feedback to students?

• Praise

• Rewards

• pointing out errors first before anything else

• The sandwich method- praise, point out errors + praise some more.

• error correction, then suggestions for improvement

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A reflective approach to teaching uses data about teaching beliefs, assumptions and practices as a basis for critical self reflection in order to improve the self, decision making, as well as promote learning.

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J.C. Richards & C. Lockhart​

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A Reflective Approach To Teaching

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Look at the worksheet containing the beliefs you noted down and discuss the questions.

1. Do your notes reflect how you really are or would like to be as a teacher.

2. Are there any aspects you would like to change?​

3. Share ideas on how those changes, if any, can be effected.​

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

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SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICING SELF REFLECTION

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1. Self observation. Focus on a specific part of your teaching and notice your actions.

2. Peer-observation. Get a colleague to observe a specific aspect of your teaching/lesson.

3. Observe experienced teachers and their techniques.

4. Student survey. Create a (short!) quiz/questionnaire to ask your students how they feel about specific points. ​

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

• Elaine Kolker ​Horwitz (2008). Becoming a language teacher: A practical guide to second language learning and teaching (pp. 233-234). Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn and Bacon.

• ​Michael Borg. (2001). Key Concepts in TLT: Teachers‘ Beliefs. ELT Journal. Vol. 55/2. Oxford University Press.​

• Jack C. Richards & Charles Lockhart (1996). Reflective Teaching in Second Language Classrooms. Cambridge University Press.

• Cambridge Online Dictionary.

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A Reflective Approach To Teaching

HAPPY TEACHING!

A Reflective Approach To Teaching

Isabella Dorgu​