Philosophy of Teaching Lori

Lori Fry
Indian River State College

Philosophy of Teaching

As I reflect back through my ten years of teaching foreign language at a local high
school, and the last seven years at Indian River State College my teaching philosophy has
changed considerably.

When I first began teaching, I was aware of WHAT to teach, but not HOW to teach. It
was not until I started my Masters Degree in the Teaching of Foreign Languages while teaching
high school that I became aware that teaching foreign language encompasses much more than
just teaching content. I learned that there were different theories of language acquisitions;
different methods of teaching foreign language; different learning styles; and students had
different motivations for learning foreign languages.

Unknowingly, for years, I used the Grammar Translation Method of teaching, which is a
teacher centered approach versus a learner centered approach. As I was studying different
theories of language acquisition and methods of teaching foreign languages, I learned that there
were more current and effective ways for students to acquire foreign languages. In order for me
to be a more effective instructor, and for my students to be more successful in the four skills of
learning a foreign language listening, reading, writing, and speaking - I had to change my
teaching methods.

So, what did I do to change? For the last 13 years I used the Communicative Language
Teaching approach to second language instruction and acquisition. This is a student centered
approach based on the premise that successful language learning involves not only a knowledge
of the structures and forms of the language, but also the functions and purposes that a language
serves in different communicative settings. This approach to teaching emphasizes the
communication of meaning in interaction rather than the practice and manipulation of
grammatical forms in isolation.

In order to address all learning styles of my students, and to ensure their success in
learning the Spanish language and culture, I implement the following instructional methods
to achieve my instructional objectives:

Power points, You Tube videos, and other relevant websites to present new
vocabulary and grammar concepts.
Electronic transparencies and pictures to reinforce vocabulary.
Handouts with puzzles, informational gap activities, student surveys, and grammar
exercises to reinforce the vocabulary, grammar and communication.
TPR activities, hands on activities, and communicative pair/group work to enhance
communication skills to reinforce vocabulary and grammar concepts.
Hands on communicative activities using dice, bingo and other games to reinforce
vocabulary and grammar structures.
Role play and skits to reinforce vocabulary, grammar structures, and communication.
Current digital e-book for a visual in class, and textbook exercises.
Realia (authentic material) in the classroom such as Spanish newspapers, food ads,
restaurant menus to teach and reinforce vocabulary.
Student oral projects submitted through power point, You Tube, Yodio, Go Animate, or
other electronic tools, incorporating vocabulary and grammar concepts learned
throughout the semester.
All classes are fully active courses in Angel, loaded with all course documents,
Power points, supplementary materials and websites.
Links to recorded classes are posted in all classes in Angel for absent and online
students to view.
Blackboard Collaborate/Elluminate Live sessions in online classes to create a virtual
classroom.
Oral assessments submitted through a voice tool in the online platform of our current
text. As the instructor, I listen to the oral submissions and give written feedback and
oral feedback.
I encourage students to join Spanish Club, which I sponsor, to give them additional
opportunity to practice the language, and further expose them to the Hispanic culture.
I encourage students to attend Mesa de Conversacin, Spanish Conversation Table
sponsored by Spanish Club to practice their speaking skills.
I organize study abroad trips to Hispanic countries to give students the opportunity
to experience the Spanish language, history and culture.

These teaching strategies have fostered a comfortable atmosphere for my students, and a
sense of community, especially at the beginning of a course, where anxiety can impede
performance. I also feel it is important to build a good relationship with my students by taking
an interest in their personal lives, stressing the importance of communication, and being
accessible to students 24/7, either through office hours or Angel email. I believe that motivation,
enthusiasm and commitment to students are the most important factors in teaching language
effectively.

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Lori Fry

Indian River State College

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