My philosophy of teaching is to recognize the potential of my students by acknowledging their unique learning styles and dominant intelligences. Furthermore, I believe that language acquisition can be enhanced by providing clear and meaningful input and by viewing learning as a dynamic process that involves making mistakes and learning from them. This is how I foster a process of trial and error, correction, persistence, and reflection in my classes, while also adjusting my approach to the different types of individual intelligences that may be present in the classroom.
Creating an environment in which students feel confident enough to make errors and ask questions is a fundamental aspect of my teaching role. Beyond the transmission of knowledge, I see my role as a guide and facilitator of students’ learning processes. By enabling students to take control of their own learning, I aim to create an impactful educational experience in which they play an active role in shaping their academic journey.
My teaching ideas center on a scaffolded and contextualized teaching-learning process. I employ task-based and project-based learning methodologies to facilitate authentic language interactions. These approaches enhance students’ collaborative construction of learning experiences and promote productive collaboration and environments that foster collective thinking and growth.
The primary objective is to help students achieve their learning goals and advance in their careers. In the realm of second language acquisition, I emphasize the lifelong nature of learning that goes beyond academic requirements, as learning a new language offers more than just linguistic skills, it provides access to cultural diversity and a wealth of life experiences. Thus, within my classroom, I strive to make my students more aware of the importance of learning a second language, as it can enhance their career prospects, broaden their cultural understanding, and facilitate meaningful cross-cultural interactions.
Finally, teaching goes beyond knowledge transfer to an ongoing learning journey shared with the students. The field of language learning is constantly evolving and offers many opportunities, and I take pride in guiding students to explore these paths, emphasizing the tangible benefits of learning a new language. It is not solely about acquiring linguistic proficiency and competence, but also about gaining a wider comprehension of the world, developing cultural competence that provides access to different perspectives and opens up numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Leslie J. Moreno 