Module #2 Reading Reflection (Graves Chapter 1,2)

 

Not having any experience of teaching, I got a lot of fresh ideas from this book. I already knew about the word ‘context’ but didn’t realize the real meaning of that word. It is important to define what I know about the context and to know as much as possible about the context in order to make decisions about the course and design language courses as a teacher (Graves, 2000, p.13). Also, I got to know that there were really various aspects of context that I should consider before thinking of what I teach and how I teach: people, time, physical setting, teaching resources, and nature of the course and institution (p.16).

Furthermore, I understood that the complex nature of the beliefs and understandings about learning and teaching influences a teacher to make decision in a particular direction (p.25~26). Beliefs that arose from past experience or work experience play an important role at each stage of course design. According to these concepts, I could have a chance to think about my understandings and beliefs of learning and teaching. 

Module # 1

• What is your B.A. degree major, where did you complete it, and when?

I majored in interior design at Sang Myung University some years ago. Before begging this program, I worked for the architectural firm as a graphic designer, also do free-lance work working out of home.

It is totally unconnected with my major between this CSUSB TESOL MA

Program but I had opportunities to learn American culture and society as well as language. After language study abroad in USA, I'd really wanted to proceed to the degree of MA study abroad and I happened to know this CSUSB TESOL MA program.

• Are you a pre-service teacher and if so, what is your target teaching level?
• If you are currently teaching, what is the school, grade, subject? Are your current and target teaching levels the same or different?
• What is your experience with the school curriculum as a learner and/or as a teacher?

As you can see, I didn’t have any experience to instruct as an English teacher. This is my one of a great challenge Over the past few years.

I had just experience about elementary school students as art teacher.

• What mobile technologies are you comfortable with? Which applications do you use on your cell phone? Have you ever used mobile devices for language learning or teaching?

Unfortunately, I don’t use smart phone due to the stipulated time of my cell phone. But I had kind of IPod touch it offers LAMS service, which to participate in classes taught by well-known lecturers.

• What your expectations form a curriculum design course would be?

In all honest, up to this point, I don’t have idea how to design the whole curriculum. In the long run I’d like to teach art as an English teacher through various activities. As if being teacher should know the whole plan of system and affairs, I should learn how to design the whole curriculum as a teacher. Even though It might be hard to design now, as time goes on, I hope to make a curriculum design course through this cores.

Thank you.