MY PHYLOSOPHY OF TEACHING

There are many concepts to define teaching. For instance, Leo Bartlett in his idea of teaching describes it as an interactive process among a group of people learning in a social setting usually described as “the classroom”.
For Gore (1987), however, this description of an interactive process is the need to develop shared understandings in a community of knowledge users and developers. The list of definitions is indeed never-ending but they would all in the end concur in one main point: teaching involves students’ needs and beliefs.
From my own point of view, to teach is to give, to impart knowledge to learners in an active and dynamic way. Teaching is engaging students in events inside and outside the classroom as well as providing knowledge in an inspirational way. To make this true, there are important teaching components such as: teaching styles, techniques and strategies to develop good teaching that should be taken into account. In addition, it is necessary to be involved in observing and reflecting upon our own teaching and the learning behavior of our students.
Thus, I have been involved in teaching throughout this time because I find it rewarding and challenging. Along the years as a teacher, I have acquired a strong baggage as a quality teacher, but most of all, I have realized that studying and researching are without question the best tools for a teacher who wants to achieve self-improvement. Therefore, I’m aware that knowledge is endless and that a first-rate teacher is someone who keeps reinventing themselves and knows that learning is part of an everyday process. Professional teachers must then continue studying and looking for new expectations and technology.

When I teach, I use communicative methods so as to have student-centered lessons rather than teacher-centered ones. I believe it is vital to use communicative methods in order to have a participating and dynamic lesson. Creativity is my forte and also a plus because it enables you to design creative lessons that will enhance your class and delight your students. What is more, using Pair group and group work will motivate students when developing communicative tasks.

My respect and regard for my weak and strong students go without saying. I never compare them let alone make them feel deflated. To my eyes, they are all special because while the strong ones are active learners, the weak ones endeavor to acquire more proficiency of the language. In this sense, teaching equals challenge since the teacher’s goal is advancing their students’ education.
Through it all, I have also discovered that being friendly, confident, cheerful, flexible and resourceful facilitates the betterment of a class. Although the personality traits of my students differ greatly, I have learned how to understand their differences and similarities with respect, love and sympathy. As facilitators, we have to assist them whenever a need arises and to provide them with the necessary tools in order to clear up their doubts and help them attain their learning goals.
To conclude, teaching is more than just providing knowledge, it is a commitment, a challenge that a teacher must tackle not only to make students learn but also to set the foundations of their future success