Course Reflection
As we saw in so many of the teaching methodologies, incorporating multi-media literacy materials into the curriculum goes a long way to capture the attention and to motivate learners. I found the same to be true of myself throughout the course. The modules that included videos showing testimonials, instruction, and inspiration all stuck with me perhaps better than the many white papers and chapters we consumed. I would recommend perhaps more of that in future courses.
Although not unique to C&T 820, several concepts emerged that are worthy of repeating including funds of knowledge and bridge-building between home and school cultures, biliteracy instruction, and the assurance that we do not sacrifice content acquisition while we work towards language proficiency. These themes are the most valuable to me as I consider how to approach TESOL in my community and with my target learners. They are fundamental considerations I consider to be superior to all others.
I also appreciated the multiple perspectives on what type of content we, as teachers, should be putting in front of our learners and how frequently, regardless that I didn’t agree with all of it. The professional peer conversations at least help me to formalize my opinions, or broaden them, and provide a foundation and data-driven research for their origin.
Although not unique to C&T 820, several concepts emerged that are worthy of repeating including funds of knowledge and bridge-building between home and school cultures, biliteracy instruction, and the assurance that we do not sacrifice content acquisition while we work towards language proficiency. These themes are the most valuable to me as I consider how to approach TESOL in my community and with my target learners. They are fundamental considerations I consider to be superior to all others.
I also appreciated the multiple perspectives on what type of content we, as teachers, should be putting in front of our learners and how frequently, regardless that I didn’t agree with all of it. The professional peer conversations at least help me to formalize my opinions, or broaden them, and provide a foundation and data-driven research for their origin.