The BilBea Learning Journey

I have a few different categories that possibly relate when it comes to teaching philosophy – as a learner online (and in class), as a teacher of ESL, and as an online teacher.

As an online teacher & learner myself
Some of my greatest inspiration (good or bad) has come from teachers of mine. What to do, not to do, and variations in-between that may or may not work for me personally.

The guide-on-the-side principle is a guiding theory for me, but notice that this can be taken too far making the teacher become more of a lurker at the back and not guiding at all. In the opposite direction, I’ve also recently experienced a controlling teacher mandating participation levels and forced group work.

The social aspect of the teacher is also important. The teacher needs to be contactable, available and with a reasonably short turn-around on requests. I’ve experienced good and bad (non-present) online teachers in this area.

The technical ability or rather, the ability and willingness to learn technology, is highly important. I believe the online teacher is leading the way, introducing new technology that’s useful and helpful for the task. This involves constant searching and updating knowledge along with a general knowledge of what technology can be capable of.

As an ESL teacher
There are extra theories for 2nd language learners on top of the online teaching basics. For example, Krashen’s Comprehensible Input – meaning that instructions and the entire course work needs to be in simpler English according to the students’ level. Students’ need to understand the “input” of both instructions and lessons to be able to learn.

Another is his Affective Filter theory – meaning if the students are uncomfortable or stressed in any way, then the affective filter (like a solid wall in their minds) will raise, bouncing any learning or input straight back out. I believe this filter is more universal than just 2nd language learners as any student who is too stressed (from the course or outside life) will raise their filter and stop learning (possibly due to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs!).

A Good Teacher
A good ESL teacher can tell (without asking) when the students understand and are ‘happy’ with the lesson, or more importantly, don’t understand and can rephrase in simpler language until there is comprehension.

A good ESL teacher tries to have student talk time higher than teacher talk time (with the goal being 80% student to 20% teacher).

A good ESL teacher ensures there is enough practice of the target language trying to make it memorable in the process.

A good teacher attempts to cater for reading, writing, thinking, speaking, activity (physical preferable) and diagramming or visual work into subject matter to attempt to cater for a larger number of learning styles.

A good teacher has enthusiasm about their subject matter and tries to instill this enthusiasm through enjoyable activities and project work (and demeanor).

There’s probably more that I’ll think of later…