1. Get experience

4/20/2009

For my Secondary Curriculum and Instruction course, Education 314, I observed at a high school for a total of 36 hours. The class I was placed in was an American Sign Language foreign language class. I observed two different classes-a first and second level ASL classes. The first level ASL class was a large class of about twenty students. The class consisted of freshmen through seniors, which made it a very diverse classroom. The level two class only had one male student, which added to the interesting classroom dynamics. The male student didn’t participate much, and it was a very talkative classroom. Simply observing both of these classes gave me great experience with classroom management. I found myself taking many mental notes after watching the teacher interact with her students. My cooperating teacher was not only good at classroom management, but she also was very good at planning activities. She had so much creativity packed into the different activities and exercises planned in the classroom. Again, I tried to remember her ideas so I could use them in my class as well.

Apart from observing, I also taught three different lessons. The first lesson I taught to the level two ASL class and the other two were with level one students. The cooperating teacher did help me quite a bit with content, she showed me what she planned on teaching and let me do the rest. It was very helpful to have her guidelines to plan my first lessons. Evaluations of my lessons were better than expected and were very encouraging. Aside from good marks, I also felt more excited to have my own class and I felt very comfortable in a teaching role. Having this experience really allowed me to experiment with teaching and use methods that I’ve been learning these past two years of college.

As a future teacher of a foreign language, I am taking a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) class to help me in foreign language teaching. A requirement for this course is to get experience with teaching another language. So in the spring 2009 semester, I am tutoring six college freshmen in American Sign Language. We meet for about two hours every week, and finding material for two hours can sometimes be a challenge. This assignment has challenged, encouraged, and strengthened me in many ways.

My desire is to teach high school students how to sign, so having six first years is a perfect match! They are energetic girls who love the language, but need some extra practice. Through this experience I have used methods from when I was a first year and have tried some new techniques. I remember being in their position so I try to give them tips and exercises to improve their language skills. However, this doesn’t last two hours. This challenge with time has made me search on the internet, in ASL textbooks, and even asking ASL professors of additional drills and exercises that would be useful. Even though this was challenging, I now have many resources that I know I will use in the future.

My meetings with the tutees have been very rewarding and encouraging. When I can actually see the light bulbs go on in their heads I feel as though I have helped them in some way. This encourages me to continue in my education, and strengthens my desire to teach. Reflecting after every meeting and writing papers that are submitted to my professor have really helped me see what is useful in teaching and what is not. Forcing myself to ask questions of my performance and how I can improve has been valuable to me. Looking back, I have seen a change in my techniques and my students are also noticing that our sessions are more valuable. I am thankful for this experience and I know that I will be a better teacher because of this additional practice.

At Ox Bow Elementary School, I observed for 20 hours. This is a requirement for Inclusive Schooling, but this also was a way to get experience. Before my first day, I wasn't looking forward to "observing." Too many times have I been in school where a college student sits in the back and takes notes on what to do and what not to do. I did not want to be this college student!

Thankfully, for the next two months, I didn't have to be that student. I could get involved with projects, work with kids, teach lessons, and have fun all the while. I immediately started signing to the students. This was a great way to improve my sign language skills. There is nothing more helpful than watching a deaf person sign. It took me a while to get used to the system they had, but as time went on, I could see improvement.

Culture in a deaf classroom is something that was completely foreign to me. I have never thought about disciplining someone who can't hear. What should I sign? Will they take me seriously? These questions could only be answered by trial and error. I soon found out what worked and what didn't. Since the kids couldn't hear the intonation of my voice, I had to show it in my facial expression. If I have a job like this someday, I know I'll use what I learned at Ox Bow.