Frantz Paula Claude: Teaching Philosophy 2015

Creativity and the ability for adaptation; comprehensive knowledge of course content;
collaboration with students and colleagues; and striving for personal best both in and outside of
the classroom form my core values as an ESL educator. These set of goals and values have been
established thanks to time spent inside the classroom with students and influenced by former
professors and instructors. As I draw near to completing my graduate degree in Applied
Linguistics I reflect on this journey with great joy in the time spent in various teaching/tutoring
positions and excitement for the future, for the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skill sets
that I have acquired. I have come to learn that a balanced combination of methodology and use
of technical innovation within the classroom can unlock within students a strong sense of
motivation and excitement in the materials.
My role in the classroom is not limited to only that as teacher (my commonly used
alias amongst students) but I see myself operating as their mentor and friend. I aim to create a
comfortable and safe atmosphere where students are not afraid to take risks, think creatively,
challenge themselves with the material and redefine how they view themselves as English
language learners. In my pursuit of building students trust and confidence, I consider it
important to respect each students individuality and their respective backgrounds. Small actions
such supplying thoughtful commentary to assignments, returning graded papers in a timely
manner, and remembering birthdays or important life events adds a personal touch that goes
beyond pedagogy and methodology. Patience and an attentive listening ear also aid in building
rapport and showing students that I care and respect them as individuals.
As a nearly completed graduate student, I have come to gain a deeper appreciation of
how technology can positively impact the way in which I present topics to students and have
them execute various assignments. I personally believe that technology can play a critical role in
providing students with a creative outlet in terms of producing language and connecting them to
the "real world" in meaningful ways. The Social Cultural theory purports that mediation of
different objects and symbols promotes language learning and I believe that technology can
greatly assist students in reaching this end. Resources such as mobile devices, computer
software, videos, social media platforms, and apps can engage students and allow them to
become more involved in their language learning. Technology can never replace my role as
teacher in the classroom but through thoughtful implementation, it can boost students' selfconfidence and increase their willingness to take risks and challenge themselves. Not only are
students privy to these benefits, but I find that as a language instructor I can experience personal,
academic, and professional growth when allowed the chance to "play" with technology and
become familiar with its many forms.
In addition to all this, I also believe that my greatest tools in the classroom are the
students themselves, with their various cultural backgrounds and life experiences. One of my
greatest joys as an ESL teacher is when I leave the classroom having learned just as much, if not
more than, as my students. I believe that putting students at the core of my planning allows me
the opportunity to create more precise, detailed and engaging lessons because I can to take into
consideration the needs, backgrounds and potential input of each student. In return, I am
provided the opportunity to become a more skilled thinker, learner, and instructor.