Mi filosofía como profesora

1. My Teaching Philosophy
I firmly value the diversity of learning styles and the unique perspectives (both
individual and cultural) that my students bring to the classroom. As a result, I seek to
provide a classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable in expressing their
needs and opinions and I think that the whole class benefits and learns from that
process.
I am devoted to providing a learning environment that is both exciting and
challenging, one that allows both student and teacher in pursuing learning. I treat my
students with respect, creating an environment where students feel safe to express
and discuss topics which they might otherwise be reluctant to address.
I always try to help students activating their prior knowledge, test it against
what is presented in class, and use that previous knowledge to build a greater
understanding of more complex networks of knowledge.
I believe that learning should be fun and that students who are active
participants learn much more than those whose participation is passive. I believe that
learning requires deep understanding that can only come when students internalize
and actively apply the language knowledge in creative and meaningful ways. In any
class I teach, I hope that students will be able to use the language knowledge in their
own lives, relating ideas and concepts in ways that are meaningful to them.
My role as a teacher includes helping students succeed. I also want students
to be able to personalize their education through active learning. I believe most
students will engage to the challenge of learning, when quality work is demanded
from them and if they are also helped to develop the skills necessary to make that
possible. So, I encourage critical thinking in all my classes.
It is important to consider that learning strategies differ widely and that
teaching strategies are not always easily matched with students' needs. In addition,
students bring widely varying knowledge bases in each course, so each course is
different according to the background and learning preferences of that particular
class. Students also bring different levels of maturity, interest and motivation.
Motivation is an essential factor in learning. I believe students give their best
when they are actively engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. When a teacher
motivates the students, they are actively engaged in the learning process. In order to
give students greater control of the knowledge they encounter, I use cooperative and
active learning and try to develop tasks that foster both critical thinking and
opportunities for creative application. In order to foster motivation, engage students
and deliver memorable lessons, I use different kind of sources: pictures, stories,
photographs, home made material, videos, songs, and so on. I also foster autonomy
and develop students' confidence in every lesson. Additionally, in our lesson plans
we should consider not only the four macro skills, but higher-thinking skills through
varied activities.
By modeling good communication, concern and respect for our students, and
a real enthusiasm for our subject matter we also teach the value of our subject. Each

2. institution and each class provides new challenges and opportunities for my own
learning as a teacher. I hope to rise the curiosity and skills that will allow students to
participate actively in the learning process.
As I want my students to be active learners, I always spend time getting to
know them, their English level, interests and needs. When planning my lessons, I try
to include variety of activities to cover the different styles of learning. Setting an
appropriate context to facilitate the learning process is fundamental. Teachers
should pay special attention when choosing materials, and either adapt authentic
material or develop material according to their students' English level, interests and
needs.
I always take some time to reflect after each lesson and consider factors,
such as timing, activities that work best with a specific group and how to overcome
difficulties.
Through the lessons that I planned for this practicum period I included CLIL,
PPP and the communicative approach. In my own lessons I usually follow the
communicative, constructivist and interactive approaches.