An old proverb from Gambia states:

 

If your only tool is a hammer,

you will see every problem as a nail.

 

I believe that students need to be exposed to different learning tools in order to find their own way of acquiring information. Our student’s generation cannot picture the world without wireless devises, so we, the teachers, need to show students not only learning tools but also learning strategies. The more strategies available to the student, the easier it will be for them to select a learning strategy that suits them.

 

A good foreign language teacher should…

 

Provide a trustful learning environment.

For many of my students, learning a foreign language is a significant challenge. Many of them suffer from anxiety, which they developed as children. In an atmosphere of mutual trust these students begin to share their ideas and learning is enhanced. When students feel comfortable making mistakes in front of the class, they learn not to be discouraged, and see their errors as part of a learning process. It is exciting to witness a class discussing whether the paragraph written by myself has errors or not, suggesting alternate solutions, and laughing together at the same time.

 

Be organized and well prepared.

I expect my students to be organized and well prepared and I lead by example. A good lesson has clear objectives and is structured logically so that the students are able to follow with ease.

 

Take time to explain concepts.

I keep saying to my students that languages are similar to mathematics. Everything follows a pattern, an idea, and there is an explanation either for each association made by the creation of a sentence and paragraph or for each individual word. Time spent reinforcing the subject matter either deriving the formula or grammar structure or providing more examples for individual or group work ensures that students establish a solid grounding upon which to build their language knowledge.

 

Be enthusiastic when teaching with technology.

Our goal in today’s world is to work closely with technology in our classroom to make students understand that technology can be included in the learning process. Our student’s generation is learning about the world through Internet, therefore we need to show students different learning tools that can be employed when using Internet and online programs. The question that arises is how to guide students in a way they can apply all these new virtual tools efficiently in their learning process?

 

Motivate students to learn more.

 The results I have seen in my students are quite positive. Many see me outside the classroom, and even though they are no longer my students continue to communicate with me in the target language. Others have decided to study abroad in Latin America, take courses in the Center for Latin American Studies at UF, or have attended Brazilian soccer matches in the U.S. just to learn more about Latin American culture.

 

Coach students to teach one another.

If teachers are constantly learning when they teach, students will also learn when they guide their peers through a linguistic concept. The sharing of knowledge can have a profound effect on the student’s individual and professional growth. I use a collaborative approach, nurturing students to become active learners.

 

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