MY PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE TEACHING

 

My Philosophy of Teaching English Language

English language has such an overreaching influence across the world that learning English language is a necessity for gaining a global exposure to the latest changes trending in the world. Thus, for realisation of personal goals and dreams English language can play a vital role. Knowledge of language contributes in establishing a distinct social identity and facilitates proper under understanding of cosmopolitan culture which is a necessary 21^st century skill. 

Although English is a foreign language and it happens to be the second language in most of the states of India, learning of this language is essential for intellectual and professional growth of an individual. Virtualization and integration of the modern world community has caused virtual intercultural interactions in foreign languages. In turn, new forms of communication require innovative methods of teaching foreign languages. The main argument of this need is the changing of the language. There are new rules of etiquette, mental images of cultures and individuals, words to the realities of the online world, practiced simultaneously oral and written form of speech. This article focuses on the concept of teaching to communicate in foreign languages based on reflective learning of the students. The concept is a system with the aim, methodology, content, technologies for learning and assessment of communicative and cultural competence. The basis of my philosophy are approaches and methods of learning foreign languages and cultures through intercultural interactions.

The methodology of teaching the learners to participate successfully in all areas of communication in foreign languages is the central concept of the pedagogical researches of recent years. In modern community’s integration the teaching and learning foreign languages are a way of understanding diverse cultures, developing the experience of intercultural interactions.

Teaching approaches and methods According to personal philosophy in teaching foreign languages and cultures the following approaches and methods allows students at any level to attain tangible results.

Personalized approach

Learning a foreign language is motivated if teaching environment meets the real-life needs of the students. Their motivation to learn comes from their desire to communicate in meaningful in and beyond the classroom interactions that reflects also curricular goals.

My goal in teaching is to Develop autonomous learners who can develop their skills independently. The major goal is to promote students´ reflective learning which may be defined as those affective and intellectual activities that lead to reflection on all sources of knowledge and to exploring experiences as the basis of learning in order to develop understanding and appreciation Efficient developing of learning strategies that are conducive to lifelong learning of language appears when reflective learning methodology is integrated into students´ own learning processes. Consequently, it is important to construct the learner-centred classroom environments with maximal students´ involvement in the search for resources to improve personal and professional skills, awareness of their own potential and the development of new attitudes and values.

Communicative approach

Teaching a language communicative suggests using the real life language and materials, totally target language speaking environment, meaningful interaction in situational contexts. If the teachers create spontaneous classroom interaction as daily practice that integrate language, culture and students´ interests, the students will be able to communicate successfully in different contexts using the language as it is used in real life. In the real life, language is always used in specific situations for particular purposes. Spontaneous classroom interaction puts students in a situation where they must use a foreign language, whether or not they know it.

Recreating the natural environment of language learning: focusing on building listening skills before the speaking and pronunciation by imitation because each country has different pronunciation difficulties. It is obligatory for teachers who want to provide opportunities in the classroom for their students to attain rapidly long-lasting results over a minimum span of time. The recreating of natural learning environment allows students to learn the target language in the way in which they learn their native language. Thus, they can develop their language proficiency sooner. Integrating the development of students´ language proficiency with cultural learning. This method operates on the idea that language learning must be an imitation of interaction in the global community of a new century, as this is the natural way humans use the foreign language that reflects mentality and lifestyle of people. According to this method, the teachers seek opportunities for students to interact with target language speakers in a specific cultural context. In recent years, e-learning based on networks has grown steadily in popularity. Integration of modern world community causes virtual intercultural communication in foreign languages. Teaching a foreign language in terms of e-learning consists of a process of discovery a new world through the language learning. Two interrelated factors: personal interest in the subject and the maximum involvement of students in communicative interactions are of great importance for the understanding the target culture practices. The method of using dialogues helps students learn about the target culture and comparisons to their own culture. Moreover, making critical questions about culture, various social categories encourages students to develop critical reflection, a necessary skill in today´s global society.

I feel if I contribute in igniting the young minds to contribute in national goals the purpose of teaching is served.