Teaching Philosophy

I believe in a constructivist classroom. This classroom is student-centered. The

student should discover new material to create his or her own knowledge. This material

should be presented through a variety of sources to accommodate the different types of

intelligences in the classroom (Garner’s Multiple Intelligences). I believe everyone has the

capacity to be intelligent, it just that they have different types of intelligences; therefore

they process things in different ways. The teacher is the facilitator of learning. The teacher

should get to know the students interests, strengths and weaknesses in order to make the

class interesting, relevant to their lives (Ausubel’s Meaningful Learning), and enough of a

challenge to make their knowledge grow. The teacher should also find out what the student

knows (his or her prior knowledge) to be able to facilitate the new knowledge the most

effective way (R.C Anderson, Schema Theory).

In my language acquisition course I learned the theories of language acquisition. I

especially like and believe in Noam Chomsky’s Language Acquisition Device when it

comes to the nature of language. It explains that we are all born with an innate capacity to

learn language. However, the fact that we have the capacity to learn languages doesn’t

mean we don’t encounter obstacles that affect them. These obstacles or barriers are our

challenges in the classroom. But, there are also theories that can help teachers create

effective learning environments to overcome those obstacles. Teachers can provide social

and interactive environments, which according to Vygotsky’s Social Constructivism

Theory, leads to a better development because of the active participation and interaction

taking place. Let’s face it, two heads are better than one and we live in a world where

teamwork is the essence of survival.

Another aspect to consider in teaching is the students’ feelings. In Krashen’s

affective filter, it was studied that the student learns best when he or she has high

motivation, high self-esteem, and low anxiety. I believe in creating an environment where

the students feel safe and comfortable enough to express themselves and not feel harassed

or embarrassed. The classroom becomes a community of people interacting and being

productive members. In turn, the students improve their self-esteem and they feel an

important part of something.

Finally, I believe the student will best learn, by doing (John Dewey). For example,

If the student practices what he or she learns, then it will remain as part of their knowledge

because the student is putting theory to practice. This is the importance of

practice. Another example could be if a student visits a place and sees something (an

object, a person, etc.) in person, he or she is experiencing with all his or her senses, what he

or she is learning about. Therefore, the information or material will become a part of him

or her because he or she has lived it. Learning can’t get any more authentic than that. This

can be realized through field trips, special projects that involve the community outside the

school, and others.

All of these theories encompass what I believe are the most effective teaching

strategies. The world has changed so much that the way we teach has to change along with

it. I believe learning should be about, for, and by the students, with the teachers guiding

and facilitating the way.