The best way to learn is to teach with TESOL

The best way to learn is to teach with TESOL

TESOL Reviews

I have come a long way from being shy and unconfident when I began to

speak English and study abroad to enjoy speaking English and living

overseas. Dealing with language barriers was like a usual practice. I had

no intention to be so willing to dedicate myself to English teaching or

education until I had so many unexpected and incredible experiences as a

result of using proper English. The desire of equipping non-English

speakers to explore and embrace an entirely different English-speaking

world always drives me forward. This is why I took TESOL Advanced

Program. Surprisingly, I have gained much more.

It is essential to know and apply the most appropriate teaching methods

to students with different needs. I will use TESOL Direct Method

and TPR in particular. I am a physical learner, and I prefer to teach using physical

activities as well, such as body movements, acting things out, and some

hand-on activities. Walking meeting is another good way I would like to

try. However, I will take students’ learning styles, language levels,

cultural backgrounds and other factors into consideration while choosing

teaching methods.

TESOL-Rassias Method is also one of my favourites. It is to create a safe and

shameless learning environment. How profound and powerful the

concept of Rassias Method is. It encourages “speak a language to learn it;

do not learn a language to speak it” (Yoken 2007). Lack of confidence and

poor communication skills can easily destroy students’ confidence, and

Rassias Method is far more helpful for teachers to effectively deal with

thee challenges students encounter. Teachers can ask student to sit in a

circle and make sure they can see one another and feel equal, without

shyness or fear. Instead of pointing out students’ mistakes, teachers

repeat the correct ones and give positive suggestion. Repetition of words

and giving rewards in time are also emphasised to increase students’

confidence to say more and learn more.

Good teachers ought to show passion and commitment that Dr. Rassias

conveys to his students. I was lucky enough to have some great lecturers

and professors while studying abroad and I do appreciate their teaching

which incorporates drama, laughing, passion and excitement. It inspires

me not only to learn but also to teach.

In addition, Rassias Method views language and culture as a whole. They

are indissoluble and need to be demonstrated at the same time. Leaning

in contexts is so important to improve student comprehension. Good

teachers need to prepare their students to appreciate the cultural

background and experience. Speaking from my overseas studying and

living experience, language is not a random combination of letters, words,

phrases or sentences, but is a living and vivid demonstration of certain

culture. Learning English and the culture behind can never be separated.

To able students to learn and use proper English requires teachers to

demonstrate English in real-life situations. I suppose this is one of the

reasons why I found easier to improve and remain my English proficiency

in Australia where provides authentic English speaking environment than

in China. Talking about my overseas experience in Australia, I did

encounter different types of language barriers. It was tough at the

beginning but as my English ability further improved, I started to enjoy

and appreciate the diversity of languages and culture.

I also appreciate the teaching of how to teach speaking, reading, writing

and listening in TESOL Advanced Program. English is not my first language

and I do know how hard English learning could be in a long run when you

start at a wrong place. I prefer systematic learning as a student and also

like to conduct systematic, structured and interesting teaching when I am

a teacher. A great teacher is knowledge and talented, responsible and

interesting, helpful and efficient. They do not simply tell, explain, or

demonstrate, but more importantly, they inspire.

What I have learned from TESOL Advanced Course is very helpful and

practical and needing to be exercised in my class. Changing the role from

a student to a teacher after I graduated is very exciting and also

challenging. Both learning and teaching are lifetime process and everyone

needs to start somewhere. I am ready for this journey.

Last but not least, my special thanks to TESOL in China.

TEFL官网：www.teflinchina.com

TESOL官网：www.tesolinchina.com