Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jen_blue]

I finally finished my teaching philosophy and hope to send it ASAP when I've checked and double checked everything. I'm worried I've left it way too late
;( and that I might actually be successful, all at the same time.

Here is the finished teaching philosophy - any feedback much appreciated.

I have long held a desire make a difference in the lives of others' through passing on skills or learning and to experience living in a culture completely different to my own. I have 3 years experience of supporting people who are D/deaf and have additional needs to live as fulfilling a life as possible. I consider myself to be privileged to work in an enabling role and wish to combine this aspect of my role with my love of the English language. During my time at university, I saw how the ability to learn English enabled people from non-English speaking countries to study and live in the United Kingdom and heard many experiences of how this skill would be enormously influential when they returned home.

My primary teaching goals are to assist students in achieving their maximum potential, to offer them the skills in becoming lifelong learners and to encourage them to live as productive a life as possible. I firmly believe that all humans' are compelled to seek knowledge and that every student has the ability to succeed, given the right environment. My teaching sessions are aimed to develop communicative competency through meaningful activities, and by meeting the students needs in terms of developing confidence as well as abilities and knowledge, to enable them to succeed in the English academic environment.

For students' to learn most effectively I believe that learning materials should be relevant and stimulating, addressing diverse learning needs and characteristics in developing English language skills. I believe that its important to integrate developments in new technology into the classroom to keep the material relevant to the students'. For example during teaching practice I found that my class of young learners' preferred a lesson format with a quick pace and the inclusion of current application to demonstrate their language skill. Thus, I developed an activity by which the students moved around the classroom, using statements presented on prompt cards to find someone who had the correct response. Additionally I have found that creating learning tasks which relate directly to their personal interest's can strongly influence their learning of the material and understanding of its application. Using this as a basis to revive interest in revision sessions' I utilised my young learners' competitive nature to design a session in a format similar to a game show; teams of students answering quick fire questions to be displayed on the interactive whiteboard.

I believe that my willingness to adapt my teaching according to the needs of learners', subject matter and student demographic's are critical to my ability to be a successful teacher. I actively encourage communication with students outside class time by whatever means is most appropriate for the student to enable greater individualised learning to take place.

I believe that in the position of a teacher, I am a role model to my students; thus, demonstrating respect, honestly, empathy, responsibility and the desire for learning. I believe that a teacher is more than someone who teaches but also a mentor and a trusted individual with whom they are able to share both accomplishments and challenges on the road to achievement.
Whilst a curriculum objectives, student assessment method's and assessment results may be identified by the school ethos and departmental syllabus, my teaching philosophy informs my practice. My knowledge of teaching and supporting learners' and personal experience as a ESL student, I have concluded that, regardless of one's teaching background a teacher needs to remain open minded about alternative approaches. I am constantly striving to improve my teaching through seeking feedback from students' and colleagues', attending seminars and experimenting with new technology. My objective is always to enhance student engagement and attaining success. I believe that as I gain knowledge and experience of teaching English, my teaching philosophy will continue to evolve for the better. I am committed to teaching as a career and hope to pursue further qualifications in educational practice with an emphasis on English Language teaching in order to further refine my skills.

In contemplating preparing this application I was keen to know as much as possible about Korea, it's history, society and culture and have been an avid reader of a number of blogs written by past and present English teachers', am keen to read everything I possibly can regarding your magnificent country and have learned some basic Korean via an online course. I am particularly keen to experience authentic Korean cuisine, I am a avid cook and follower of Saturday Kitchen, which sometime ago featured culinary recipes inspired by Korea. I attempted to undertake creating these myself at home with some success and also visited my nearest Korean restaurant, which was very enjoyable experience. I loved the sharing and welcoming ethos of the Korean people in creating and serving dishes. . Food has the power draw people together to share in the universal human experience, regardless of the differences in language, culture, or nationality. I want to continue this exploration between our cultures.

Overall I guess I would describe my approach to managing cultural differences as a combination of curiosity and acceptance.

[jackson7]

I recommend taking a moment to thoroughly check for grammar and punctuation mistakes. The sharks on these forums will eat you for lunch, and you'll be less likely to get constructive feedback.

I'm not sure if that last line you wrote is part of your TP or not, but it's important to avoid vague statements such as "I guess" when writing this type of thing (SoP, TP, etc.).

J7

[edwardcatflap]

Had a quick skim and noticed 'honestly' instead of honesty, 'a avid' missing article 'very enjoyable experience' and verbs 'have' and 'am' in the final paragraph need a subject. Also you need to learn how to use apostrophes. Go through it again and eliminate every one that's in a plural noun. 'It's history' doesn't have one either. Noticed a factual error too. Nothing about this place is 'magnificent', believe me. Though they won't pick you up on that one

[andrewchon]

Well, you ought to be nervous. That is close to what I wrote for my teaching certificate and , what my teaching certificate mentor described as 'very ambitious'. (I dropped out, for various reasons)

Your essay is, IMO, good enough for job interviews. That is what HR people expect.

Why did my mentor say it was ambitious? I think it's because HR people are not teachers or do not have teaching background and they hire people based on what they like. They like ambitious, or some say narcisistic personalities. And why not, at least they promise things will get better and occasionally make it look like it has. However, students and parents and co-workers want 'no change'. That's why he said it was ambitious.

[young_clinton]

[schwa]

Sorry OP but that essay is just riddled with grade school mistakes. Your consistent misuse of apostrophes especially jumps out. Maybe you have a friend with good writing skills who could go over it with you?

Maybe the person you send it to (if they're Korean) won't notice, but if it crossed my desk I'd reject it.

Applying for jobs in Korea is not a writing contest, but the ability to write a clean short essay can certainly be a factor.

[World Traveler]

The OP is female. She will get the job. I would bet money on it.

[drcrazy]

I have 3 years experience of supporting people who are D/deaf and have additional needs to live as fulfilling a life as possible.

Think very carefully and seriously about the reasons why you think I "said" about this sentence.

Then, I hope you will .

Then apply that to most of the sentences in your teaching philosophy.

[Overture1928]

You said I believe like 7 times.

[andrewchon]

Maybe she's Whitney Houston fan.

[Hokie21]

[faeriehazel]

You seem to be under the impression that apostrophes follow plurals. Apostrophes are for possessives or missing letters.

[drcrazy]