What are 2 new things you learned in this course? What are 2 things that you would still like to learn more about or practice more?
When I was introduced to the 5 World Readiness Standards and to other STARTALK-endorsed principles last year, my most immediate thought was: “I think I understand each of these theories, but I really would like to have a chance to use them.”
My supervisor from the University of Washington was able to offer me a part-time contract to teach an intermediate Portuguese course at the University of Washington this year. My experience teaching Portuguese at the University of Washington allowed me to apply in my own classroom each of the theories I was able to learn.
Of course, I had a lot of help and guidance from my supervisor, but while teaching I would do things like using Total Physical Response (TPR) to help my students understand the input –and I was so surprised to learn that they were able to follow me! My experience teaching a foreign language at the University of Washington allowed me to reflect on each STARTALK-endorsed principle, and while doing so I started thinking of each method endorsed by STARTALK not as a method, but as a science: “Okay, who is Stephen Krashen?” I asked myself, followed by “I need to learn more about Stephen Krashen and everything he wrote.” Frankly, I was surprised that I had never heard of Stephen Krashen while pursuing my degrees and certificates in Brazil.
This course allowed me to review much of the material to which I had been exposed last year, and while reviewing the material I tried to think of ways in which I can create what I view as the ideal foreign language classroom: “Anderson, you should talk as little as possible; let gestures do the talking, use TPR.”
I also reflected on the importance of a learner-centered classroom: “Anderson, are you talking more than students? If you are, then you should not be.” I also learned that failing is okay. If I expect my students to become lifelong learners, then I, too, should become a lifelong learner –this means that I will continue studying Stephen Krashen. I will re-take this course if needed. I will attend workshops. I will continue studying.
I feel that I need to learn more about advocacy. I feel I am not educating Americans on the importance of learning a foreign language as much as I should. I try. Whenever I do it, though, I find so much resistance. I wish I could be taught a strategy, such as Total Physical Response, to change the misconception most people have that they do not need to learn a foreign language.