Ariana Terebelo Reflection #2

        In all honesty, I was never really interested in teaching English as a second language. I always imagined myself teaching elementary aged students who spoke English as their first language. I had assumed that it would be too hard to teach english to students who were unable to speak it fluently, and just wanted to be able to have the same teaching experience that I have been exposed to in my schooling and volunteer work.

        The reason I want to be a teacher is to help students, inspire them, encourage them and help in facilitating their learning. Last semester in my TE 250 class, we watched a video on the California school system, and how it is failing students who speak a different language. So many children are placed in classrooms where the teacher is not qualified to teach them or just does not want to, therefore, not caring about their growth and success. It is when I watched this video that I realized if I want to make a change in children's lives, this is the way I need to do it. I am now in the process of getting a minor in teaching English as a second language.

        There are so many kids out there whose parents speak Spanish at home, or who recently moved here from China, etc. and they are the ones who need the help of teachers the most. It is important that the teacher whose classroom these students are placed in is committed, understanding, helpful and patient. Many teachers have  these traits, but they may not extend to the extent in which they need to in order to teach ELS students. If they do not get the education that they need, they will not be able to grow to their full potential as students. They are essentially being failed by their teachers and schools.

        While I do not want to teach classes that are exclusively filled with learners of a second language, I would like to have the opportunity of having ESL students placed in my classroom, therefore, being able to give them the attention, learning techniques and support that they need. I definitely do want to do volunteer work around the community (now and in the future) to help L2 learners. It's crazy how watching one 20 minute video on this topic/issue in California, made me change my views on the teacher I want to become.