I am going to use this journal as a bit of catch-up. Fist and foremost, our group has chosen to concentrate on creative writing in the teaching of English as a second or foreign language. I love creative writing and therefore I am greatly interested in how I can integrate it into my classroom one day.
In the past my group, Aaron(Charlie), Adib and I have met several times to discuss our plan of action for the annotated bibliography, our sources used and our first 2 genres. We all work really well together and great ideas are in abundance. Each of us brings a certain strength to the group and therefore we work well together.
Our annotated bibliography went very well and I actually enjoyed reading the different scholarly journal articles because I am deeply enthralled with the subject at hand. There was so much support for the idea of creative writing in the classroom that it was almost overwhelming. The fact that research shows that poetry can tech the natural intonation of English speech is amazing! That is something that at times cannot be taught but it is important for comprehension of the spoken language.
Making the first 2 genres was so much fun. I liked making the poster and the feed back that I received from my group as well as the peer reviewed group was dually noted. Overall, I am really happy to be in the group that I am in and to be studying the subject that I am. It makes me want to start teaching right now.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Presentation Reaction
I am certain that our presentation was cursed because of the topic we chose to focus on, "Have a Plan B." A few things went wrong as I am sure the class had observed such as the computer freezing, the video not working, that pull down thingy flying up again and our slides' ink smearing. (To name a few). Honestly and surprisingly I am glad that all of that went wrong because it not only illustrated the point Chris and I were trying to make but it also "tested" the two of us on how well we do under increased pressure. I thought Chris and I recovered well from everything and some our saving grace is due to the fact that we are comfortable in front of people. (To speak for Chris)
I know Chris loves people and talking just as much as I do so I am glad I had him as a partner and I think he really did well presenting and being upbeat and excited about the material.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and I am glad things worked out just the way that they did.
I know Chris loves people and talking just as much as I do so I am glad I had him as a partner and I think he really did well presenting and being upbeat and excited about the material.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and I am glad things worked out just the way that they did.
Week 9 Classtime Reflection
We started the class with a warm-up discussion of how each of our individual names came about. I think it is interesting how other countries and cultures use and view certain names. I think some names that we us in the Unites States might be possibly viewed as offensive or maybe just silly. It was just one more example of how a teacher and fellow students need to be sensitive and aware of the cultures that vary in the classroom.
I then gave my presentation which you can read about my reaction in the subordinate blog.
Thea then showed us some materials that she used in her mutli-genre project that she taught in high school. I was so interested because I love literature and I thought she had some great projects from students as well as great ideas for her students. It was interesting to hear a real account of a teachers lesson.
We went to the G.L.L. and peer reviewed each others genres. I was really impressed with the work that my fellow students came up with. It was not only creative but informative.
I think the class time went fast and I learned a lot from my fellow students especially with respect to their own teaching experiences.
I then gave my presentation which you can read about my reaction in the subordinate blog.
Thea then showed us some materials that she used in her mutli-genre project that she taught in high school. I was so interested because I love literature and I thought she had some great projects from students as well as great ideas for her students. It was interesting to hear a real account of a teachers lesson.
We went to the G.L.L. and peer reviewed each others genres. I was really impressed with the work that my fellow students came up with. It was not only creative but informative.
I think the class time went fast and I learned a lot from my fellow students especially with respect to their own teaching experiences.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Week 9 Readings
I read the MCM book extensively in preparation for my presentation. Wow. That was a lot of information. I learned a lot about ESP. English for Specific purposes and how it is taught. Something that I found was interesting was the topic of 'Wait Time'. Research indicates that the longer a teacher waits after asking a question the more in depth the answers by the students will be. I found that to be very interesting.
ESP appears to be very important in other countries especially on the business part of their societies. ESP seems a little harder to teach becasue how does a teacher in that setting know what to teach? What if there are many different occupational goals in one classroom? How does a teacher organize her lessons around everyones needs? All of these were questions I had and I still ponder if a teacher is truly able to adapt and teach to each individual students' needs and goals.
The section of lesson planning was interesting and for me I needed to learn a lot more about lesson planning and what topics and techniques that can be used. I think lesson planning is intimidating especially when it is an unfamiliar territory.
ESP appears to be very important in other countries especially on the business part of their societies. ESP seems a little harder to teach becasue how does a teacher in that setting know what to teach? What if there are many different occupational goals in one classroom? How does a teacher organize her lessons around everyones needs? All of these were questions I had and I still ponder if a teacher is truly able to adapt and teach to each individual students' needs and goals.
The section of lesson planning was interesting and for me I needed to learn a lot more about lesson planning and what topics and techniques that can be used. I think lesson planning is intimidating especially when it is an unfamiliar territory.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Week 8 Class Reflection
We began the class talking about our ancestors and the different languages that we each had. Also, we were asked if any of those languages we have in our family were languages we wanted to learn. I thought about the above two topics and felt almost bad because I know that I have quite a few different languages and some of them my grandparents spoke fluently such as French but I find I do not have a desire for those languages as I should but I want to learn other languages such as Japanese and more Spanish and ASL and Persian. I have no idea why I want to learn these languages except that I recognize the benefits of knowing them and also because they are so different than my own native language.
Jodi gave her presentation and I thought that she did a really nice job explaining dialects and how important they are when considering communication in a foreign language. I found it interesting that I did not know many of the different idioms Jodi presented.
We then played a game that was a tiny bit confusing to me but it did help me comprehend the different terms. In fact I had no idea what my term was and I looked in my book and I had skimmed right over the term without highlighting it. I was lucky to find the one term that I did not familiarize myself with.
Jodi gave her presentation and I thought that she did a really nice job explaining dialects and how important they are when considering communication in a foreign language. I found it interesting that I did not know many of the different idioms Jodi presented.
We then played a game that was a tiny bit confusing to me but it did help me comprehend the different terms. In fact I had no idea what my term was and I looked in my book and I had skimmed right over the term without highlighting it. I was lucky to find the one term that I did not familiarize myself with.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Week 7 Class Reflection
In class this week we got a refresher course from the school librarian and data bases. She also showed us Ref Works. I have used Ref Works in the past and I think it is a great resource for citing and keeping track of sources.
After that, Rachel gave her presentation and I really enjoyed it. I like playing games and all the questions she asked were relevant to the chapters. Also, the teams were broken up with boys against girls and that is something I have not done for a long time.
Next, we worked in the same groups in which we made lesson plans. We reviewed another groups lesson plans and changed it to fit a different proficiency level. My group had to change a lesson plan around in order to teach an American novel by a classic author to better suit intermediate students. That was not an easy task but I found that my group members are quite creative and we came up with a really great lesson plan.
I find that I am learning a lot from not only from the professors of the program but my fellow classmates as well.
Lastly, we got into our multi-genre project groups and discussed what our plans were. I am glad that my group decided not to do any genres electronically. I do not work well electronically and frankly it does not interest me. I like to create more artistic projects, however, I do see the benefits of electronically produced things.
After that, Rachel gave her presentation and I really enjoyed it. I like playing games and all the questions she asked were relevant to the chapters. Also, the teams were broken up with boys against girls and that is something I have not done for a long time.
Next, we worked in the same groups in which we made lesson plans. We reviewed another groups lesson plans and changed it to fit a different proficiency level. My group had to change a lesson plan around in order to teach an American novel by a classic author to better suit intermediate students. That was not an easy task but I found that my group members are quite creative and we came up with a really great lesson plan.
I find that I am learning a lot from not only from the professors of the program but my fellow classmates as well.
Lastly, we got into our multi-genre project groups and discussed what our plans were. I am glad that my group decided not to do any genres electronically. I do not work well electronically and frankly it does not interest me. I like to create more artistic projects, however, I do see the benefits of electronically produced things.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Reflection of Week 7 Readings
First and foremost, I thought the Chapters from Lightbrown and Spada and H. Douglas Brown correlated very well. Both talked of age as a factor in a second language learners acquisition.
I enjoyed the chapters in H.D. Brown book because he gave useful advice for actually teaching the students in the classroom. The one thing I want to say about that is FINALLY! WE have studied the different teaching principles but I had never grasped what that actually would translate into in the classroom. The Brown book broke everything down by sections. In Chapter 6 he broke it down by children and adults and what limitations and advantages each of these groups have. In Chapter 7 he broke each category into beginning (or novice) and then intermediate and advanced. I learned that teaching intermediate learners can be quite difficult because each student may be at a different proficiency level but at still considered "intermediate". I like how he made everything clear with the different capabilities with each groupings.
In the Lightbrown and Spada book it talked of the Critical Period Hypothesis. I am glad that I was never aware of this hypothesis when I was learning a second language because I feel it would have only made my self confidence plunge. I think it is quite unfair that certain learners will never gain native like speech in their target language. Also, who is to say that native like language is the goal in the first place? I think both adults and children have advantages of their own and it is best to look at this issue in that light. After all, a positive attitude can go a long way in second language acquisition.
I enjoyed the chapters in H.D. Brown book because he gave useful advice for actually teaching the students in the classroom. The one thing I want to say about that is FINALLY! WE have studied the different teaching principles but I had never grasped what that actually would translate into in the classroom. The Brown book broke everything down by sections. In Chapter 6 he broke it down by children and adults and what limitations and advantages each of these groups have. In Chapter 7 he broke each category into beginning (or novice) and then intermediate and advanced. I learned that teaching intermediate learners can be quite difficult because each student may be at a different proficiency level but at still considered "intermediate". I like how he made everything clear with the different capabilities with each groupings.
In the Lightbrown and Spada book it talked of the Critical Period Hypothesis. I am glad that I was never aware of this hypothesis when I was learning a second language because I feel it would have only made my self confidence plunge. I think it is quite unfair that certain learners will never gain native like speech in their target language. Also, who is to say that native like language is the goal in the first place? I think both adults and children have advantages of their own and it is best to look at this issue in that light. After all, a positive attitude can go a long way in second language acquisition.
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