Reflection on My YOED 6020 Experience

Hello to all!

This is my final blog for a while, and I just wanted to share with you some of my thoughts on YOED 6020.

There were a lot of things covered in this class that were very useful and enjoyable complete.

The newcomer brochure was a wonderful thing for me to discover. I think that using a brochure in your ESL classroom will help promote literacy at home as well as the classroom. Your students parents will want to know what is going on in your class and by you letting them know on a regular schedule you begin to build a trust with not only your students but also their parents and the brochure is a wonderful way to do that.

Click on this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aVbJhg23Ao

Just take a minute to watch. It's precious.

"Getting to Know You" from Rogers and Hammersteins "The King and I"




The CLOZE procedure and the Choral reading tools were tools that I have used in the past in a different content but I was able to "tweak"it in order to make it an ESL learning device.

I had never thought of evaluating materials for ESL students and I was able to find new ways to promote reading comprehension with literature that I had found using the Reading Prompt and the Anticipatory guide.

When I get my own classroom, which couldn't come soon enough, I think that the anticipatory guides will be a great asset to my classroom. I also think my choosing literature that your students can relate to will really increase reading comprehension. I will also implement lots of readers theatre and role play exercises.

For graduate students or teachers that are exploring the idea of obtaining a certification in teaching ESL, there are a few things I think you should know.
-First- remember to encourage second language learning and not just content.
-Second-Be flexible and take risks.
-Third- Don't give up, especially the Maymester folks. Once you complete the Maymester you will feel like a superhero.
-Fourth- Get to know your students. This will not only help you assess their language proficiency but it will also build trust thus making your student comfortable and not afraid to be in your classroom.
Fifth- Be a reflective decision maker. If a certain lesson or strategy doesn't work for your class, change it. It's nothing set in stone.

This class has taught me a lot. I have learned to implement lesson plans or exercises that are fun and effective. I know now how to find books that are appropriate for grade level and language proficiency level. I know how to create a writing prompt which helps the student open up about their lives at home and their experiences in their country. The CLOZE procedure I will definitely use but I will omit words that have a theme or pattern.

So far, YOED 6020 has been my favorite class. I have to admit there have been other classes that I have felt totally lost in, but since taking this class, it feels everything has fallen into place.

I cannot wait to land my ESL teaching job, and I know that I will have a crucial impact on students and their successes. It sounds to most like a large burden to carry but I feel like it is a large privilege to carry.

Blogfully yours,

Georgia