EXPERIENCES BY LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE

Clearly, there are many ways to learn a second language. It is a fact that some ways are more effective than others. Also, to learn a second language depends on how much effort you make to learn it.

Undoubtedly, to learn a second language is a very different experience to each student. For example, the grammar structures can be very difficult for some students and very easy for others. The main reason is that, the student´s skills are not in the same level so that teachers must choose teaching methods that correctly fulfill the needs of the students.

In my case, I learned the 60% of all that I know about the English language by a non-conventional method: playing videogames. I learned how to use many grammar structures. Also, I improved my reading skill and I added many new words to my vocabulary thanks ti this particular method. So that, when I started to study English at school, I only needed to improve my pronunciation and writing skills. Even though many teachers did not believe me that I learned the vast majority of my English by playing video games, they started to believe in this particular method when I began to get good grades at tests.

Furthermore, I remember that my English teachers used many different methods to teaching English such as the Direct Method, the Audio-Lingual method, the PPP and the Grammar Translation Method. Some of these methods were really effective because I learned a lot with them. On the other hand, some teaching methods were worthless because they were focused on some aspects in which the majority of the students were skillful enough.

So that, teachers must be aware of the needs of his students in order to choose the most effective teaching method in order to fulfill the requirements that his students have. In order to reach this goal, teachers can create their own teaching method by choosing some features from the teaching methods that better fulfill his student’s necessities. Because teachers are not tied to an specific teaching method, they are free to develop their own teaching method.

A good teacher always trusts in their student´s potential and focuses their activities to challenge their student´s intellect in order to improve the skills and potential of their students. Teachers must have clear how to help their students to reach their purposes and goals. A teacher has to plant the seed of desire in the mind of his students and has to water it every day until the seed become a tree. A teacher plays an important role in the life of their students because the teacher is an example source to follow.

MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEACHING APPROACHES, METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES

In the learning-teaching process, we need to understand some concepts that are very common. These concepts can confuse the teachers if they do not have a clear definition of them.

We are going to discuss the definition and establish the main differences between some concepts that are very important for the teachers. These concepts are approach, method, technique and strategy.

Approach: I would say that this is the personal philosophy of teaching. What is the nature of education? What is the role of the teacher, the student, the administration, the parents? To be an effective teacher, does one need to strive to be authoritarian, to be autocratic, or is the best way to engender a sense of trust and familiarity, to be a 'educating/leading friend' to your students. To understand one's personal teaching approaches, one must first look to answer these types of questions. And of course, your opinion will change as time goes on - and it may vary depending on the students you're teaching.

Method: are the ways of presenting instructional materials or conducting instructional activities. A method comprises the principles and methods used forinstruction. Commonly used teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these. The choice of teaching method or methods to be used depends largely on the information or skill that is being taught, and it may also be influenced by the aptitude and enthusiasm of the students.

Technique: These are the tricks we all know and use to get the job done in the classroom. Teachers have systems of rewards/punishments for students who comply and exceed or defy and lag behind. If a classroom is becoming distracted a teacher may use the technique of silent reading or shared reading to try to rope them in again. Another may choose to use a quick physical activity to distract their distraction and get them all to do the same thing at the same time - then quickly direct them back to work. This is really where someone with loads of experience can help another teacher improve her abilities. These are the tricks that can be taught to another teacher. Also a lot of teachers attend offer little tidbits of games, activites, and actions that teachers can use to achieve certain goals in the classroom. Everything from sending a note home to mom and a trip to the principal's office to giving out 'points' for good behaviour are examples of teaching techniques.

Strategy: include all approaches that a teacher may take to actively engage students in learning. These strategies drive a teacher's instruction as they work to meet specific learning objectives. 

THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSE IN EDUCATION: SELF-FULFILLMENT

SELF- FULFILLMENT

First of all, we have to define what self-fulfillment is: “the fulfillment of one's aspirations, hopes, etc. through one's own efforts.”

Self-fulfillment is our goal as teachers. Good teachers are always encouraging their students to be focused and reach their goals, to overcome problems and to never give up. Self-fulfillment is very important because as long as a person lives, he must have goals and dreams that will inspire and motivate him to improve. Happiness comes from making own decisions, putting in the best efforts and living dreams After putting in the hours and the energy, a person deserve to feel content and satisfied on the realization of his desires and ambitions.

A good teacher always trusts in their student´s potential and focuses their activities to challenge their student´s intellect in order to improve the skills and potential of their students. Teachers must have clear how to help their students to reach their purposes and goals. A teacher has to plant the seed of desire in the mind of his students and has to water it every day until the seed become a tree. A teacher plays an important role in the life of their students because the teacher is an example source to follow.
A teacher must have clear that he is teaching to inspire his student, not just for conveying knowledge. An excellent teacher has only one purpose: to change his student´s life and to leave a print in their lives. 

To reach this purpose, a teacher must have some characteristics. For example, he must be responsible, innovative and trusty. Also, a teacher must be approachable with his students. In other words, a teacher must have dedication with his work and has to take care of his students. He must to be aware in any change to his student´s behavior, taking into account the stimuli that are either inside or outside the classroom. 

Teachers have to use the transformational education that is the act of teaching designed to change the learner academically, socially, and spiritually. Transformational teaching begins with the learner, and transformational learning involves deep understanding and occurs in classrooms where teachers have high expectations.

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PEDAGOGY MODEL

WHY DO WE TEACH???

Many people think that teaching is only focused in conveying knowledge, assigning homework and measuring student’s knowledge with activities that do not show the real potential of the students. I think that a teacher must try to take care of his students, to make them feel comfortable and special either inside or outside the classroom.

A teacher needs to focus in the environment that students will have to deal with inside the classroom in order to maximize their learning process.

I want to be a teacher because I like the idea of seeing your teacher as a father. I know that it will be difficult, but when I become a teacher I will try to be like a father to my students. I will keep in mind that a teacher never has to cross the line between to be a teacher and to be a friend to their students because if they do that, they will have some problems with the respect and authority inside the classroom.Many people think that teaching is only focused in conveying knowledge, assigning homework and measuring student’s knowledge with activities that do not show the real potential of the students. I think that a teacher must try to take care of his students, to make them feel comfortable and special either inside or outside the classroom.

A teacher needs to focus in the environment that students will have to deal with inside the classroom in order to maximize their learning process.

I want to be a teacher because I like the idea of seeing your teacher as a father. I know that it will be difficult, but when I become a teacher I will try to be like a father to my students. I will keep in mind that a teacher never has to cross the line between to be a teacher and to be a friend to their students because if they do that, they will have some problems with the respect and authority inside the classroom.

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PEDAGOGY MODEL.

First of all, I have to define what the transformational pedagogy model is:

“The Transformational Pedagogy Model is an act of teaching designed to change the learner academically, socially and spiritually.”

This means that if a teacher is using this method in their classes, he must to be aware of any change in their student’s behavior and in the student’s feelings because they affect the performance of each student in the classroom. A teacher has to create a meaningful environment inside the classroom in order to enhance the learning process. Also, a teacher must work in the rapport with his students because rapport is essential in the classroom and it will help that the students trust on the teacher. In other words, students will start to share their emotions If their feel comfortable with the teacher.

A teacher must be for his students as the light at the end of a tunnel. But, why a teacher must be like the light at the end of a tunnel? Because a teacher has to assume the role of a guide in order to help their students to overcome difficult situations. A teacher has to trust in their students and he has to take care of them as a father does with their child. Teachers have to constantly motivate their students in order to encourage them to reach their goals.

Teachers have to use:

“A holistic education that comes from the relationship built by sensitive teachers using pedagogy attuned to the academic, social and spiritual needs of learners.”

In my opinion, all of those characteristics have a big influence in the pre-service and in-service teacher. In the case of pre-service teachers, their main objective is to acquire those characteristics. Pre-service teachers can aspire to be great teachers and to change the life of their future students. In the other hand, we have in-service teachers. They can change the methodology in order to improve the learning process and to leave a print in their pupil´s life.

In both cases, teachers must have clear who are teaching: “their students.” they have to consider student’s aspirations rather than “the subject achievements” in order to become wonderful teachers.