Reflection Paper

Reflection Paper: The way CCC Aspectos Geogrficos, Polticos, Econmicos y Sociales Course
Has Influenced my Teaching Activity.
Miguel Antonio Sinz Chvez
Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico
November 21st, 2010
Professor: Mtra. Edith Roco Daz Hernndez

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My personal Reflection

Language is culture and culture is language. According to Dr. Dennis ONeil (2006)
Language is more than just a means of communication. It influences our culture and even our
thought processes. Deborah Peck (2010) in describing the curriculum of the Teaching Culture:
Beyond Language for Spanish as foreign language teachers at Yale University describes culture
as follows:
Culture is all the accepted and patterned ways of behavior of a given people. It is that
facet of human life learned by people as a result of belonging to some particular group; it is that
part of learned behavior shared with others. Not only does this concept include a groups way of
thinking, feeling, and acting, but also the internalized patterns for doing certain things in certain
ways . . . not just the doing of them. This concept of culture also includes the physical
manifestations of a group as exhibited in their achievements and contributions to civilization.
Culture is our social legacy as contrasted with our organic heredity. It regulates our lives at every
turn.
Several language teachers consider that the most important aspects to teach in class
should be the linguistic aspects. Being grammar, phonology, and vocabulary the aspects being
taught most often. In fact, they are correct. There cannot be any communication if we do not
posses vocabulary. We cannot communicate clearly if we lack the grammar competence of a
language. And speakers can do little if their pronunciation hinders communication. Still, these
teaching aspects can be enriched by the inclusion of cultural aspects of the target language. This
can be exemplified by the countless Mexican proverbs our language has. They are real cultural
aspects of the people expressed by real language.

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As English teachers our classes should be full of cultural material that diversifies the way
we present important linguistics aspects of the language. As I have learned in this course the
influence of English speaking countries take us back in history. During the Victorian Era,
England set out on the mission of dominating the world so as to share its glory and success, to
save the lost nations around the world. I cannot say whether Great Britains intentions were
honest or not, but I can witness the influence English language has around the world up to this
day.
I have learned of the global impact English has had in the world in more detail. I was able
to investigate and find out how it works as unifying factor within the more than fifty
Commonwealth nations. I was able to learn of its infiltration in the media and communication
and how English media has taken all over the world. Most importantly, I studied how the U. S.
and Great Britain have influenced in Mexican living throughout history. Many believe that such
influence is damaging, others believe that it is beneficial. Whatever viewpoint we decide to take
regarding this phenomenon, English influence in Mexico is a reality. Such reality should fully be
taken advantage in class.
This does not mean that including any cultural material in the EFL class is enough.
Rather, careful planning and application is necessary. I really enjoyed the readings regarding the
impact media material can have in class an how todays technology has allowed many learning
institutions the possibility of obtaining several new communication technologies that have
improved the teaching/learning process in many classes. This goes from simple audiovisual room
that facilitates the inclusion of several movies and programs to the complex language computer
lab that may be able to offer practically endless teaching resources. Despite all of these practical
tools, many teachers miss the point of using them. Many believe that displaying a movie in the

Reflection Paper

target language without subtitles during a whole class constitutes teaching. Others take their
students into the computer lab without any previous thought or planning leaving students
unattended who eventually end up using the computers for Google search, chatting, blogging
I do not want to be that kind of teacher. I have learned many cultural aspects about
different English speaking countries and I plan to present them the best possible way that I can
by using the materials, resources and new technologies that are available to me the right way.
This can be accomplished by careful planning, supervised application and constant evaluation of
the way I am including the cultural aspects in class. It requires humility to make the necessary
changes so as to leave our comfort zone and modify our way of teaching. I sincerely hope to
accomplish these goals in my professional life.
Regarding the Use of APA
I had never worked with the APA style before. At first I found it difficult. Now I am no
expert at it, but I am more familiar with it and feel comfortable using it. I appreciate the fact of
including references in all of my papers. Language is a social phenomenon; giving credit to the
ones that deserved it is the right thing to do. I will probably continue to use APA style in the
future; hopefully I will be better at it in time.

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References

ONeil, Dennis. (2006, October 24th) Language and Thought Processes. Retrieved November
20th, 2010 from http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_5.htm
Peck Deborah. (2010) Teaching Culture: Beyond Language. New Haven: Yale-New Haven
Teachers Institute. Retrieved November 21st, 2010 from
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1984/3/84.03.06.x.html