After reading Stephen Brookfield, I have a clear mind of the three
stages of experiencing teaching--scanning, appraisal and action.
I have been teaching ESL for more than 12 years. Because I am not
majoring in education, so during the beginning years of teaching, I have
to learn Educational Psychology, Educational Law,etc.
I used to teach both undergraduate students and graduate students, even some middle school students.
Looking back to those years, I have learned a lot. First, I think
that scanning is important. "Scanning is the initial sweep or
experiential trawl we undertake to diagnose the big picture". I do need
to know what the students want, what the English level they are, or why
they would like to study English,etc.
During the appraisal phase, I need to know their specific need. For
example, some students are bad in grammar, others are not good at
speaking, etc.
During the action phase, I have to choose the proper teaching
materials for them. For teenagers, I will have to find some interesting
stories, or articles with more pictures, or journals related with their
daily life,etc.
During all these years teaching experience, I find I must choose the
proper teaching material to the right student and apply different
teaching style to students with various characters. When I taught those
undergraduate students, I may explain the material in a detailed way and
asked them to do some assignments; while I taught those graduate
students, I may ask them to prepare the course in advance, and asked
them to explain the key points to me instead. also, I asked them to
write some journals and do some projects.
When I came to Canada I have to do these three phases again,because
the requirements ,assessment and teaching materials are quite different
with those of China. I have to study those carefully before I decide I
choose which way and what materials to deliver.
I love teaching. Staying with students, I can find many fun , stay young and also learn from my students.
