FIFTH TASK: BELIEVES

BELIEFS ABOUT ENGLISH:

First of all, it is impossible to talk about English without recognizing its importance. English has become one of the most important languages around the world. Business, literature, politics, economy, education, technology and even culture are link to this language which has crossed both national and international barriers. I think it is one of the reasons why nowadays many people is learning it.

In my case, when I started the undergraduate program I thought it was easy like in the school. However, later on I found myself struggling with certain grammatical rules and pronunciation. In fact, this last one has been the most difficult part of learning English because most of the words do not sound as they seem. And it is something many people/students complain about. Fortunately, I as time has passed my English has improved and I can say I’m able to communicate in English. Although I don’t have a native-like pronunciation I think the most important is to communicate.

 BELIEFS ABOUT LEARNING:

In my opinion, learning is a word that involves more than it seems. I used to think learning was just to learn something new but from my short experience as teacher I have realized it is more than that. It implies not only to learn a new concept but to understand what, how and why the process of learning take place. Every day students demonstrate that learning is a unique process that varies depending on each student. All of them have different personalities and therefore different learning styles that makes this process a unique one.

In regards to learning a language, in this case English, I consider that motivation is one of the factors that makes the learning process success. I have seen, for example many students that are very good students, they are intelligent, good readers, responsible and have many learning skills but they fail in learning English. They don’t see how English can help them in their daily lives; as they are rural students, they tend to think they will never use it. Although they recognize English is a global language, for them it is not important to learn a language that they don’t use in their real context. 

My objective, then, has been to use a different strategy, talking to them, trying to raise their interest through what they like and do in their daily lives: video games, smartphones, TV, social networks, etc.  

BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING:

To be honest, I never imagine teaching was a complex task like it is. In five years of being a teacher I have realized it demands a great effort, much time and too much patience. Although I have tried to be an effective teacher, every day I learn something from my students and colleagues, so, I have to say I’m in that process yet.

Regarding to classroom management I consider it is the hardest part of teaching. For me it has been too difficult to manage 35-40 students with different personalities and interest at the same time. Some of them talk, ask, play, work, other misbehave, some want to you pay attention, to check their homework or classwork, other want to participate… there are many things that I'm learning to manage.

Nevertheless, the most rewarding of being a teacher is to see how your students improve every day. I mean, it is not only what they learn in terms of academic development, but how they change their attitudes in a positive way. Teaching gives us the opportunity to be part of their lives, to help them to develop their skills and to be better human beings.