TESL Canada PLAR ePortfolio for Lara Evans
Language is not only grammar and vocabulary, it is communication, it is living. For me, one of the privileges of teaching English is to know that we are facilitating the development and progress of the individual. We are guiding the development of a person, helping them to reach new goals, be successful, and to expand their possibilities. While doing this we also give our students and ourselves the opportunity to learn about each other and the different worlds we come from. Syntactic understanding is as important as cultural understanding.
- I believe in the 'three R's: respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility for learning. An inclusive and supportive classroom fosters respect. Clear expectations, evaluation strategies, and the tools to become managers of their own development help students participate actively in language aquisition.
- I believe that a good teacher is a good learner. As professionals we should strive to continue our own learning and to take the opportunities to develop ourselves professionally however possible. This can occur through formalised workshops and conferences, or by sharing resources and ideas with colleagues.
- B.I.G.- One of the elements which stands out from my TESL course was this acronym. It stands for Background, Interests, and Goals. When I plan lessons, design curricula, or create a handout, I try to keep these principles in mind as they relate to my students. When I teach TESL, my activities and sometimes methodology are very different to when I teach 12 year old high beginners or iBT TOEFL. Regardless of the age and level, each class (and student) is different, so applying these three criteria help me connect with learners and cater more to their needs.
- I believe in being flexible and adaptable. Classrooms are filled with people, not products, each with their own hopes, past learning experiences, strengths, fears, goals and abilities. I try to know my students as well as I can and let that guide my style, assessment, expectations and technique. What might have worked one day, may not the next, and at the same time, just because something didn't work one time, doesn't mean it never will.
- I believe in being approachable and building rapport with students. Teachers are human and make mistakes too. When students accept that, they are more likely to feel comfortable trying new things, making mistakes themselves, and helping each other. An encouraging, team atmosphere helps to foster a positive environment where students can take risks and see the rewards of trying new things.
- I believe in teaching what is relevant. As a second language learner myself I have been in situation where I've said "I'll never need to say that!" When I plan lessons and activities, I always try to make them meaningful and applicable.
- I believe in teaching not only language, but compassion, social and global awareness, communication skills, goal setting, cultural understanding, tolerance, personal development. Language lives through us, not just around us.