IV. Adults are relevancy oriented: Adults usually have a vast experience in the classroom. Consequently, this sort of students are more interested in learning what they regard as relevant. Not what the school, regards as relevant. Hence, the need for teachers to understand the needs of these students, and to be able to craft meaningful learning activities. As soon as adult learners discover the activities they are doing provide new skills they can use, they will feel motivated. We must help them to build on their previous knowledge, irrespective of their level. Asking students what they expect to learn from the activity can aid us identify what they need to learn. Not to mention that we can adjust the activity to their needs too.  What is more, we should also give students options and challenges to complete the problems. Especially if they are in line with their leaning objectives that is. Finally, we may also be interested in allowing some room for improvement. Given that adult students often look for additional skills for their work.

V. Adults are practical: This last principle is somehow related to the previous one. Teachers should make students work on a relatable projects as soon as possible.  There must be a need for us educators to present new concepts and theories. Be that as it may, students will feel more motivated already, knowing the objective of their project has more real-world application. In other words, we should focus on less text-books and more hands-on activities. Hence, we should demonstrate the importance of concept/theory. For instance, we could teach students the general structures of dynamics behind a butt-joint. However, the aforesaid would not be as effective. On the other hand, teaching them where a butt-joint could be used seems more effective. Getting students get do something is indeed more practical than teaching only theory. This must of course be reinforced with constant practice so as to improve not only competence, but also confidence.

VI. Adult learners like to be respected: Hence, we should encourage our adult students to express their ideas openly. To say nothing of the fact that we should also elicit their feedback and use it to enhance learning experiences. What is more, treating them as equals is also crucial. Ergo, she should let them know how important their life experiences are to the class and peers.

In review, I would say that we should never dismiss our students' life experiences and treat them in an egalitarian manner. Not to mention that we should also base most of our class activities on their learning styles and abilities. That way, they will feel more confident about their learning and advance further.

This time around, it has not been that long since I last wrote a post. Be that as it may, I wanted to elaborate more on my previews topic . Hence, the reason why I decided to talk about going back to college as an adult. In the following post, I am mainly gonna tackle some of the principles of adult learning. Take into account that these are just a few of the countless approaches that can be considered when teaching adults.

There are actually six main principles that I looked into for teaching adults. Therefore, I will split them in groups of three to make them easier to understand:

I. Adults are intrinsically motivated and self directed: In other words, they do not need constant supervision and assistance from their teachers so as to succeed in the classroom. What educators could do after considering this principle is to do as follows: Try to establish a friendly relationship with your students and treat them as equals. Listen to their queries and suggestions and take into account their leaning style and interests when designing activities for them. This way, students will feel more engaged in the subject matter. Not to mention that they will expand their knowledge through self-study and research. As a result, they will not need your assistance as often during class activities.

 

II. Adults bring life experience and knowledge to the table when learning a new discipline:

Educators should certainly think about the amount of knowledge their students have acquired over a lifetime. Not only should it be used by teachers for class activities, but it also should be used to make students teach each other so to speak. They can exchange information among each other and grow together. Moreover, educators should consider that adults are problem-solving individuals. Meaning the they usually know how to solve most of the problems they have encountered before. Thus, then need for teachers to learn more about their students' life, professional and personal experience. This way, group discussions can be held in which students share their solutions to specific problems. To say nothing of the fact that reflecting teaching techniques and analytical thinking. The aforementioned  can help students gain constant feedback and discover or even question former stereotypes and unconscious biases they might have developed.

III. Adults are goal oriented:

Educators should consider adults' ability to analyze possible scenarios to accomplish goals. Thus, as educators, we should stimulate this skill by involving students in activities that encourage them to use their problem solving tendencies. Especially, those in tune with students' professional goals and future desires. Furthermore, teachers should take into account the fact that "case studies" prove quite effective in goal-oriented settings. Nevertheless, finding the most suitable case study is crucial as well. Lastly, asking students questions that trigger reflection, inquiries, and ongoing research.

Michelle Obama on the Importance of Higher Education: College Students S...

Once I again, has it been nearly a month since I last published my previous post. Was I feeling slightly apprehensive that I would have lost some of my writing skills by now. Luckily though, that has not been the case at all. On a different note, some time ago, I wrote a post about why it would not be imperative for me to finish up my degree in education. I mentioned a bunch of reasons and posted a video to support my ideas, as I usually do. Be that as it may, I come here today to tell you that I was wrong. Even though I was right on some aspects of that post, did I neglect to tackle the main issue. How do I move on from where I am now?

 

You see, I may have been right when I said that for my particular case, I did not need a bachelor's degree to be able to teach English at most language centers in Lima.   Even so, I would not have had any room for improvement whatsoever. Not only would I have been destined to make a little money every month for the rest of my life, but I would have not had the chance to someday become a supervisor or a head teacher. Irrespective of how many international exams I might have, nothing could have amounted to a university degree. Thus, the reason for me to swallow my pride and resume my studies once and for all.

 

On a few occasions, have I made the mistake of burning my bridges with my former employers so to speak. Due to the fact that I was protesting against some injustices without the proper tact.           Notwithstanding, did I not make the same mistake regarding college. At least before I dropped out, I made sure I did not sever my connections with that school. Therefore, if you happen to be one of the few people who have been reading my posts for a while now, you would be able to connect the dots. In other words, you would be able to find the relationship between one decision that I made and another. Not to mention, that a college degree would indeed open up far more opportunities for me than any other qualification.  

 

Lastly, there is something that I wanted to say before I close this post out: May I have stumbled countless times trying to find a way out of my ordeal. Albeit, I never actually lost hope. Having people around you, who has hold you back so much, can certainly take its toll on your health in the long run.  Nonetheless, having the strength to get back up and keep on fighting should be the only motivation you need. Hence, there is no reason for me to continue dawdling over making decisions any longer. I only hope that my recent uplifting experiences plant a glimmer of hope in both my mind and my heart. Consequently, helping me muster the strength I need not only to be able to completely recover, but also to no longer look back.

A Recipe for Great Teaching

It has been over a month since I last published my previous post. Most of my time these past few weeks has been occupied trying to get into Berlitz. A language center I knew nothing about just a couple of months ago. Now though, do I feel proud to have been chosen to become an English instructor there.

In the following post, am I going to talk about my experience during this prospective teacher training so far.

The first time I stopped working for a while, had I thought I was at the end of my rope. Nonetheless, I got back up after realizing that the school I was working at was not the only one left. This time around though, was I prepared. Right after I stopped working at my last school, I left my resume at Berlitz and some other places. They called me the very next week. Unfortunately however, Was I doing a English teaching gig at the time. For that reason I postponed my interview at Berlitz. Be that as it may, as soon as I was done with the aforesaid gig, did I call the lady from human resources.

Right after I passed the first interview, I was assigned to take an on-line course which would take a week. As soon as I was done with it, I was sent an email telling me that I had been selected to take part in the face to face program. The aforesaid was even harder that the on-line course. Not to mention that I had to make up to three or four demo-classes. (If I put everything together that is)Notwithstanding, did I still manage to get through both stages of the selection process. After I successfully completed the training, did I have to do a lot of paperwork and wait for a third call.

Lastly, am I going to have to wait for the aforementioned call and hope for the best. Not only will I have to try to duplicate my previous performances during the training, but I will also have to improve upon them. Breaking away from my usual style will indeed give me an edge. Still and all, am I going to have to be careful how I execute that idea. Will I close this post out now before I start floundering around for words.
 

PS. I have attached a video to this post about how to become a better teacher. Not exactly what I talked about today. Though, it is somehow related.

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