Teaching Philosophy


          I believe that the purpose of education is to form our society. Education, formal or informal, shapes the brain into whatever frame of mind it is taught. We teach not only subjects, but also values. Those values are the foundations of every healthy society. Good teachers most have certain qualities, but not all. A good teacher is smart, has a high self-esteem and has a great sense of humor. Good teachers have a great way to communicate.  Good teachers love their job with a passion that shows in their everyday work. A good teacher has the capacity to convey learning into their students in a manner in which students learn in a fun and healthy environment. But, most of all, a good teacher cares. A good teacher cares for his students and for their learning.
           Developing a language comes from interaction with someone else. Communication comes from a cooperative activity in which two or more speakers or receivers need to participate. The same way our mother teaches us to put on a pair of socks, she teaches us to say sock, to understand the object behind the sound. One of the aspects of the Function Approach is that learning a language comes from social interaction. The reciprocal practice of communication between the infant and the adult helps develop their language learning skills. The first experience a child has with language comes from hearing his parents (in the most part). After that, the baby starts to imitate and then to purposely pronounce sounds.
            The school of thought I relate the most is constructivism. Constructivism is base on the learner’s own construction of knowledge (Vygotsky, 1920). I believe that the learner has the capacity to create his or her own learning through an environment in which the teacher plays a role of guide and not of authority. This environment for learning need parameters, but it should not be restricted to the teacher being the only voice in the class. The students need to be in charged of their own learning. When the student goes through the process of actually developing that knowledge by his or her own, then acquisition comes in. The classroom environment we have right now, as a majority is the classroom in which the teacher has the students repeat what he or she is saying.  My goal as a teacher is not only to teach, but also to learn with my students. 

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