F2F Class Notes (Ally)

socratic method

Vocabulary

wandered off : with no clear objective/direction, off-track, pian li
ie. I don’t know where Lily wandered off to?

wandering:  piao
ie. She’s wandering alone in the dark.

Q: How do you learn best? How do you think you can cater to different student needs (since everybody learns differently)?
A: I learn best by listening. I think different students have dif ways of learning, on one hand it has a thing to do with their personality. On the other hand, the outside environment will influence his way of learning too, for ex… When I was a little girl, my mother would play audio clips to me every night before I went to bed and every morning before I woke up. So I was accustomed to learning and memorizing by listening. As time went on, this way of learning became more efficient and when I became a teacher I also read a lot of books about personalities and … usually some prefer listening and some prefer moving, reading…. In my class, first I will do diff activities. These activities would allow them to practice in different ways, we have … activities. The second method I often use in my class is grouping. I would divide my class into different class according to different capabilities and mix them altogether so they can learn fr each other and make best use of their own advantages. But as a teacher I also want to comfort those teachers who always struggle to apply every way to satisfy every student. Because if you use a different way to teach, the student can get used to your way of teaching and practice in the way that they usually won’t be able to . For example, if you found a student learns the fastest by listening, but is not good at reading, you may practice more of the reading part, it would compensate for their reading skills.

Edited:

A: I learn best by listening. I think everybody learns differently, on one hand it has a thing to do with their personality. On the other hand, his or her/our surroundings will influence his way of learning too, for ex… When I was a little girl, my mother would play audio clips to me every night before I went to bed and every morning before I woke up. So eventually I grew accustomed to learning and memorizing by listening. As time went by, I learned how to use and apply this method of learning, and I found ways to learn efficiently by …./this method became my method, I made it my own method …  and when I became a teacher I also read a lot of books about personalities and … usually some prefer listening and some prefer moving, reading…. In my class, first I will do diff activities. These activities would allow them to practice in different ways, we have … activities. The second method I often use in my class is grouping. I would divide my class into different class according to different capabilities and mix them altogether so they can learn fr each other and make best use of their own advantages. But as a teacher I also want to comfort those teachers who always struggle to apply every way to satisfy every student. Because if you use a different way to teach, the student can get used to your way of teaching and practice in the way that they usually won’t be able to . For example, if you found a student learns the fastest by listening, but is not good at reading, you may practice more of the reading part, it would compensate for their reading skills.  – recognize some of the impossibilities/realities

overcome vs gone/solved/disappear

1. Believe in yourself.
Since you are a new teacher, I assume you must be very humble and you are anxious to learn everything from other experienced teachers. But, remember to believe in yourself. Do not question/doubt/shoot down your own original ideas. The only way to test a theory/a hypothesis is by doing it! So if you think of a new way of teaching, try it in a real class or do a demo class! In fact, there is not right or wrong in teaching, there is only what suits you and your students. Try to find your own teaching style, and believe in yourself!

2. Improve with/alongside your students.
The best way to teach is by doing. If you want your students to learn, you’ll have to learn, too! So, keep improving with your students. Put something new in the same teaching material when/every time you teach different students. Keep pace with current events and update your academic knowledge. Reading more books and sharing your ideas with your colleagues are two efficient ways to achieve this.

3. Be passionate.
If you are doing well in the second suggestion, you will surely be a passionate teacher. Nobody will be passionate about something boring and monotonous. So if you can improve with your students and always bring something new to the class, you yourself will be passionate, so will your students. That is a win-win! Since passion is based on love, I presume that you love being a teacher in the first place!

4. Share.
I don’t know what type of learner you are, but I learn better by sharing. I feel even luckier when I get constructive suggestions. So if you have a great idea about teaching, share; if you have a problem, share. Remember, two heads are better than one. This suggestion isn’t in conflict/argument with/doesn’t contradict the first one, if you have to change a little bit in order to be a better teacher, change! You’ll still be you, only a better you!

5. Keep a teaching journal.
I regret starting a teaching journal at such a late time. When I first wrote my teaching journal, I listed some problems on my teaching and ways to deal with them. After a month, when I recorded my teaching experience again, I found those problems were already resolved/that I had already overcome those problems. Keeping a teaching journal is a really great self-incentive. I have to say it is the most straightforward/direct/methodical/useful/systematic/applicable/practical way to improve your teaching.