Reflection Paper
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Reflection Paper: The way CCC Aspectos Geogrficos, Polticos,
Econmicos y Sociales Course Has Influenced my Teaching Activity.
Miguel Antonio Sinz ChvezUniversidad Nacional Autnoma de
MxicoNovember 21st, 2010Professor: Mtra. Edith Roco Daz
Hernndez
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.
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 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.ReferencesONeil,
Dennis. (2006, October 24th) Language and Thought Processes.
Retrieved November 20th, 2010 from
http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_5.htmPeck 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
