A nice experience!

Today it was a very special day in my Social Service since I began to help a group of learners who were interested in improving their conversation skills. Today's topic was "going away". They showed interest in the topic, completed the tasks with a lot of enthusiasm and did their best to keep active. They are very motivated to continue participating at this conversation club. At the end of the class they mentioned they were grateful for the chance they have been given. I also made some visuals and cues for my next class.

Activity 3: Needs Analysis

 After carefully carrying out my own needs analysis at my receiving institution I am able to share with you my findings. I had the great opportunity to interview some of the teachers and some of the students about the current syllabus, I analyzed the course book they are currently using and I drew the conclusion that students are not taught effective and enough writing skills. They lack basic writing skills. When they finish their studies at the language school, they are not able to write a short essay because they lack those essential skills needed to complete such a task. Teachers do not teach writing skills because they would not finish all they have to do and another reason is that the course book does not contain enough and effective writing skills to be taught. Teachers cannot do much about this since planning and consequently the classes are standardized and they have to follow the course book otherwise they could get into troubles. Students would welcome any extra classes where they were taught such important writing skills and I am willing to help them develop their writing skills during my Social Service at the institution.

 

Another problem I found was the lack of opportunities to develop their communication skills. The institution offers students a conversation course which they have to pay; however, most students cannot afford it. The good thing is that the institution started to promote a conversation club which they do not have to pay and I am pleased to be part of it.

One last problem I’d like to share is the lack of appropriate material. Students usually complain about the material teachers use in the classroom. The coordinator is in charge of making material like cues and visuals for the grammar or vocabulary presentations however it seems not to be enough. Teachers do not help out much with material making and the coordinator does not have time to do everything.

In sum, there are some areas which the institution will have to improve for the benefit of the students and I am definitely willing to help during my Social Service.

Social Service Activitiy 1

There are definitely some areas I have to work on. For instance, I am not good at researching; it's always been one of my weak areas. I have learned to reflect on my teaching practice and find out what is wrong then I try to take appropriate actions in order to improve my teaching practice for the benefit of my learners and for my own professional development. However, dealing with theories of investigation is something I usually have trouble with. To be honest, I have to find ways to improve this area so as to be able to achieve academic and professional success.

Another area I think I have to work on is about making decisions and solving problems related to our professional practice. Decision making and problem solving are no doubt two crucial skills every teacher should have since before, during and after a lesson we are to make important decisions and we definitely should deal with problem solving in our everyday teaching in order to achieve an effective teaching.

 Comparing and contrasting different theories, methods and principles so as to choose the most suitable for a given context is something I have improved over the last few years. Every time I plan and teach a lesson I try to present the target language in a context so that students feel as if they were using the language in the real world.

I think I have considerably improved the selection and use of appropriate material to cue and prompt learners so as to help them achieve successful learning.

When it comes to talk about problems I have with the language I can say that I really have to work on my listening comprehension skill and I have to increase my lexis.

I am really pleased to have taken this BA in ELT since it has helped me to improve my teaching to a great extent.

How I got into teaching!

I thought I was not cut out to be a teacher, I got scared when my cousin asked me to help her son with his English homework. I was working in the tourist industry at that time and being a teacher had never appealed to me. When I moved to Mexico, I had no choice. My first job as a teacher was in  Cecap in Córdoba city, I got a few hours on Saturday. I had a children class. Even though I did not like teaching, I had no choice which is why I had to do it. A few months later, I began to work at The Anglo of Córdoba, I got an elementary class and a junior high  class. It was really hard for me since I did not have any experience. 

I had to learn to be patient, I think this is one of the most important qualities a teacher in front of a junior high class needs to have. Teaching everyday gave me the opportunity to grow as a teacher, to gain experience, to understand my role as a teacher. I have learned to love what I do and do it with passion and commitment. Now I can say that teaching is hard work, but it is no doubt very fulfilling. And doing fulfilling work will definetely give us a great deal of satisfaction.

I am really pleased to take a step further toward my goals! welcome!