Reflection #3

After seeing some great teaching examples in the SIOP video, as well as the videos I watched for my SIOP essay, I truly became inspired to think more in depth about my future teaching. However, I sometimes wonder if those teachers in the examples are that effective year round. Since I consider myself somewhat of a perfectionist, I would like to learn more about the SIOP model when I get closer to being in a teaching position because I feel like the guidelines and standards will be good to keep in mind throughout my practice.

I also have been thinking a lot about the Grabe & Stoller reading that Natalie and I were discussion leaders for. I think that reading a piece in depth and then creating questions for it as well as presenting it to the class is a great opportunity to acquire a greater understanding and grasp of a topic. I came away from my presentation really passionate about creating an effective reading curriculum, and with a lot of great examples and techniques to use with my future learners.

I also enjoyed the presentation about reading in different print contexts. Seeing examples of Arabic and Japanese books that are so different from what I'm used to is a really good way to bring the concept of having learners that may be coming from a foreign background to life. I now have a better idea of just how much of a challenge teaching reading will be to ESL/EFL students.