My goal is that my students enjoy learning.

~ Storytelling ~

Stories are, and have always been, an excellent teaching tool. Stories provide context. Language needs context. Stories are also fun - for storytellers and listeners. With a fun story, new words can be easier to remember. 

~ Arts & Crafts Projects ~

I encourage creativity and the use of imagination - especially when it comes to hands-on activities and projects. Not every student can express their ideas with words. They might be visual learners. That's where Art comes into play. Arts & Crafts allows students to be creative, imaginative, and emotionally expressive. Every student can experience a sense of accomplishment in what they create. A piece of artwork made by every student is just as unique as the student who made it.

~ Writing Responses ~

When students do writing activities, the words and spelling must come from their minds, not from a computer or AI that can generate the ideas, words, and spelling for the students. Writing takes time, and students must take their time to do it. It is a good gauge for understanding what students have learned and know. If mistakes need correcting, the simple act of making those corrections by hand help students to better remember. I try to do little writing activities outside of those in the textbook, with the freedom for students to add some personal touches and use words they may know from outside of the textbook vocabulary and sentence patterns. 

~ Real Life Scenarios ~

Learning a new language is for the purpose of communication. I like to show students how they can use the language they are learning in real life situations. (Or as close to real life situations as I can simulate in the classroom.) If students can experience the practical use of the English Language, they will see that grammar doesn't always matter as longas you can be understood and are able to convey the general meaning of what you are trying to say when using the language you are learning. 

~ Games & Puzzles ~

Learning should be an enjoyable experience. It should also be a little fun. When students are having fun in class while learning, they are not aware they are learning. It creates low-stress for language learning and can encourage team competition. Games can be rowdy and loud, or contemplative and quiet.

When it comes to puzzles, I encourage students to figure things out for themselves. While I will guide students in putting pieces of information together, I do not outright tell them the answer. I encourage students to think for themselves. One of my favorite moments to witness as a teacher is seeing a student light up when everything clicks into place in their minds.

~ Performing Arts - Music & Dance ~

Using elements of the Performing Arts in a classroom activity is a great way to create a low-stress learning environment while also allowing students to be a little creative and a lot energetic. If we do dancing, it elps students connect words with actions to make remembering easier. If we do singing, we will go through the lyrics line by line so that students understand what they are singing about in their performance. Once students know the meaning of the song lyrics, oftentimes a creative spark will follow. 

~ Technology ~

I do not like students to use excessive or constant technology in the lesson because it can be distracting to students. However, some students who have trouble with paper quizzes seem to be able to respond more successfully when it is presented digitally. The majority of my lesson plans are delivered through digital presentations. However, overall, I prefer a more low-tech classroom. 

~ Cooking Projects ~

Cooking activities are great hands-on activities for students to explore and create something tangible while following procedural instructions. Cooking activities are also great life lessons, especially regarding dealing with the unexpected or when things go wrong. Adjustments and adaptations need to occur. Cooking teaches students how to think quickly on their feet to fix a problem. Just like in life. 

~ Discussion ~

I ask students for their opinions and often use open-ended questions. There is not always only one answer to a problem or question, therefore I encourage students to explain their answers and show their thought process. As long as it makes sense, the students' answers may simply be a scenario of which I had not thought.