Letters to Myself

In this post, I would like to highlight a couple of blogs written by my classmates. Judging the titles of their blogs alone, I think you can understand why I am showcasing them here.

You can read the specific posts that inspired what I am writing about today here:

Does the Learning Ever End
Instructor Under Construction

I thought I would comment on this topic as well by telling you a story.

These posts made me think about an unforgettable experience I had with one of my English for Academic Purposes (EAP) University prep classes. I had been teaching this this level of the program for only a year, and it was a tough year. I felt lost, like I was an impostor, and I was faking it every single day.

I had a deep appreciation for this particular group of students though because they were interested in learning English just as much as they were interested in growing as people. I had assigned a presentation, and let them choose any format and any topic. They did not take me seriously at first. I told them to talk about anything they wanted to, as long as their opinions were supported by concrete facts and sources.

On presentation day, they taught each other about their role models, overcoming discrimination, and how studying abroad will change their lives. I thought, wow, how did I get so lucky to have such an insightful group. On the last day of the class (they were all graduating and moving on) they asked if we could talk more about these subjects and share with each other. I said, sure. Let's get coffee and chat.

From this discussion, I learned of their struggles, like leaving everything behind to escape a politically  corrupt country; like losing a family because of coming out; like feeling worthless because of abusive relationships. I shared. I cried. I felt honored.

We finished this class with an activity where we wrote letters to ourselves dated at the time these struggles were at their peak and then we read them to each other. Unforgettable. I will always be tankful for this moment; re-emphasizing my belief that sharing is caring.

The posts that inspired this one were centered around a video where teachers were asked to write letters to themselves on their first days of teaching. You can watch the video here and keep your eyes out for a podcast I have recorded reading my letter to myself (click here to listen).



Click here.

Highlights from the video:

And, to fit with the reason why I have not only created this blog, but care about it, and contribute to it, and keep going with it...



What would you write to yourself?
I encourage you to share at the end of this post.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Concept Checking Questions (CCQs)

Image
“Right?” “Does that make sense?” “Cool?” “OK?”  These are all variations of the question "do you understand?" and these types of questions are ineffective at checking your student's understanding. Instead, it is better to ask concept check questions (CCQs). What is a CCQ? What can it check for? A concept checking question is designed to highlight the core the meaning of the lesson's target, whether that's a concept, language, communicative functions, or really, for anytime you want to ask, “Do you understand?”  The objective of concept checking is through critical thinking learners will enhance their learning of a target by adding to what they already know. By using CCQs: You can draw out what your learners know Learners get to participate in the learning process of discovering and understanding the new target Learners articulate their knowledge You can clarify and add to their knowledge  Golden rules for using CCQs: Plan CCQs in advance Ask
Read more

Instruction Checking Questions (ICQs)

Image
Concise, logical instructions are crucial to the success of any activity in the language classroom. We have all experienced the results that poor instructions can have: failure from s’s to do/complete tasks,  repetition or reprimands, students who “zone out” or aren’t paying attention when instructions are given,  frustration from both teachers and students etc.  Through analysis of contextualized examples of instructions, this blog post will look at what to consider when giving instructions and how to follow up with Instruction Checking Questions. There are many factors that can help or or hinder whether instructions given will be understood. I know, unfortunately though experience, that the instructions we give can make or break an activity.  Without clear instructions, students may become confused, may lose confidence, and may not get the most out of the learning experience you are trying to create. Let’s take a look at what this essential teaching skill really lo
Read more

BOPPPS Workshop

Image
Here is a workshop on a lesson planning framework that works great for college instructors. The instructions for each section of the workshop, including all materials needed, are here in this post.  The workshop is in the form of a BOPPPS, so as you teach it, participants are experiencing a BOPPPS. If you're looking to help your instructors create more dynamic lessons, or if you are training your staff on how to deliver a lesson, this post is sure to help. LESSON PLANNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP 120-145 Minutes Materials: ·        Post-its ·        Skittles x 12 packages ·        Handouts o    Components of a BOPPPS Plan, o    BOPPPS Framework, o    Sample Lesson, o    Objectives Note Page, o    Identifying and Rewriting Objectives, o    Blank BOPPPS Template, o     Evaluation Page, and o    1 Minute Paper ·        Cut outs o    Sequencing a BOPPPS, and o    Objectives Cards o   2 copies of each course book o   2 copies of each
Read more