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Marianna Mercer

Dr. Cho

C&T 491

29 June 2017

Teaching Philosophy

I aspire to be a teacher, knowing full well that my ideals must be upheld by continuous

efforts to meet the ever-changing and evolving needs of language learners. My goal is to align

the key philosophies of successful EFL and ESL strategies with classroom form and function.

While this objective is immediately broad and seemingly ambitious, I know that it will be

achievable through deliberate care to the small details and ultimately, through human connection.

By attempting to understand my students and their varying personalities, learning styles,

interests, and dreams, I can better create lessons and formulate a class environment that

maximizes English learning. Moreover, through careful consideration of student reactions,

engagement levels, and background experiences, I can work to relay my own passion for

language learning to them. I know that connection with the students is vital to their interest in the

subject area therefore, if I encourage self-work and independent language learning, then,

ultimately, English learning can become a self-initiated activity. I want English learning to

become a tool, an opening, a conduit to success and the fulfillment of the students personal

goals. As a future teacher, I am dedicated to making this possibility a reality.

Tangible expectations for students will be priority for maintaining a classroom

environment of high respect, for all: staff, guests, and each student, bearing in mind diversity of

backgrounds, worldviews, and a variance of expressions and opinions. My classroom will be one

in which students feel safe, not merely because of requirements and standards, but because it is a
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space that will serve as an impetus for magnanimity. Respect and kindness will be fostered by

positive reinforcement. My hope is, through this welcome and uplifting environment, students

will effectively and enthusiastically share in my passion for the English language.

Gauging students interests and desires will help in the creation of lesson plans that

actively engage the students. This I plan to do through relevant material, usage of digital media

and other outside resources, and a variance of group and pair work. I will work to make my

lessons and instruction direct and clear, but instigate critical and abstract thought for the

formulation of individual opinions and conclusions through them. My hope is that, through

personal thought, students can make a liberating connection to further their interest in language

learning, as well as conservation of language skills already learned.

In the areas of EFL and ESL, the idea of self-initiated learning is particularly significant,

for repetition and practice is the most effective method for attaining fluency. Therefore, it is

important that students realize that mistakes will happen and their effort is key to success.

Energy and noise will be welcomed in the class and therefore encourage conversation in their

second language, making for comfortability in the usage of vocabulary, sentence structure, and

the language that they have already retained. Through relevant lesson plans, lectures that clarify,

group work that reinforces, games and activities that involve and connect, and assessment that

differentiates, my goal of philosophy meeting practice can be accomplished, and students can be

encouraged and empowered as individuals.