Entry 4 Reflection

My understanding of the learning process in this class is one of increased cognition and insight into the learning process, techniques, skills, and so on, which I certainly need as an aspiring teacher.

My understanding of the learning of a second or additional language is that it can be a complex and intensive task if both the teacher and students do not follow proven procedures. However, the teacher, such as myself, must be dedicated and persistent in this interdisciplinary field of imparting knowledge. Ortega (2013) points out that the Second Language Acquisition (SLA) must be associated with the four fields of language teaching, linguistics, child language acquisition, and psychology. As such, my understanding is that these must be developed along with other disciplines, such as bilingualism, psycholinguistics, education, anthropology, and sociology for the learning of a SLA. These essentially are key principles for the effective language learning, as I will use them in my strategic plan to make my learning skills grow.     

This class will impact my future professional practice in a very positive and learnt manner. The knowledge learnt from the texts and the practical assignments, have broaden my understanding of the learning of a second or additional language. I definitely understand that being able to help students learn a second language will offer me more opportunities, as I begin to work in my chosen schools. I know that learners differ in terms of recognition of learning materials, learning rate, acquiring expertise and so on. In other words, my understanding of learning a second language or additional language, will essentially afford me the skills to impart in my students the coherent knowledge, skills and attitudes to learn, as they encounter and overcome learning problems. As such, I believe that I am much more able to intimately connect to theoretical linguistics and the first language acquisition with the learning of a second or additional language. This therefore, will fulfill my desires for a successful professional practice.

The aspects and topics of this class which should receive more or less attention in future classes definitely vary according to how I would like to make the lives of others, including students, more meaningful. I would like more, in-depth and relevant insights about the universal influence of age, mother tongue, environment, cognition, and social dimensions. This is so due to the influences of cultural aspects in everything we say, do, play, learn, and so on, in today’s world of education and learning. I would like to know the upper limits which pertains to learning by my students in relation to our multicultural society. The parts I would not require in future classes include the comparisons of whether or not human and animal have language abilities, innate constraints of social- pragmatic and attentional learning, and so on. While it may be good to have a variety of knowledge pertaining to SLA learning, the fact remains that things are ever changing, and learning is relevant to differences, such as persons, schools and so on. I would want to focus on the really pertinent and ultimately direct aspects of teaching/learning.  

This course has impacted my teaching philosophy in a most positive manner in terms of my general concept of teaching and learning, and my specific attributes of how I teach, and why I do so. I now have purpose in my career choice, as I reflect on my learning. This has motivated me to be the best I can be, in terms of my teaching beliefs, values, and goals for a better future of my charges. Finally, I feel confident that I can go out in the world of teaching/learning and make that difference. I will be effective in my teaching of my SLA and other duties, with strong educational goals, content mastery, critical thinking methods, self-directed and experiential learning,  and positive attitudes.