Teachers Greatest Strengths

The Role of the Teacher If only the role of a teacher was as easy as being a ‘medium through which students learn’. In today’s day and age, no matter what country the role takes place in, a teacher is so much more than a resource for information. When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, simply because I wanted to write on the chalkboard! My teachers seemed to be the greatest printers, curving their letters just so, and I wanted to do it also! Now, after ‘higher education’, and three different career paths, I have come back to wanting to be a teacher, but my reasons have changed. I was fortunate in my years of high school, to have teachers that really cared about me as an individual, and I want to give this back. This is where the difference between...  [Read more]

Teaching EFL in a Kindergarten My experience as a bilingual kindergarten (Spanish/English) teacher has demonstrated the ability children have to learn two languages in an immersion program. Through a well-structured program including reading, journal writing and phonics (Aranjo) my students acquired a broad vocabulary and the ability to communicate with confidence to their peers and adults. The curriculum is presented to kids in a fun exciting way including storytelling, song, chants, games, rhymes, movement, dance, cultural lessons and holiday celebrations (Faust). It is essential to commit to the faithful implementation of the English learning program for the minimal 45 minutes a day to provide the consistency and practice needed for their success. Brain research supports the belief...  [Read more]

English as a Global Language In the last few months that I have been traveling, it has become even more apparent to me how important it is to be able to speak English to interact in the world today. Many of the people that I have been talking with over the last few months have not been native English speakers. And it became very clear to me that if they had not learned English, I would not be able to communicate with them, they have to learn a second language to be able to broaden their opportunities for travel, work, and general communication with people from other countries. As a native English speaker, you take this for granted. And as a result, many native English speakers only speak the one language. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, the British economic predominance in the...  [Read more]