Tag Archives: introspection

Inspiration from afar from those who play guitar!

1 Reply

It’s often been said that inspiration can come from the strangest of sources. Some years ago, inspiration for my teaching came in the form of a practical article on methodology titled “99 Ways to PLAY BETTER NOW”. No, it wasn’t an EFL or ESL related article. In fact, it was an article that appeared in ‘Guitar Player‘ magazine (May 2006). The piece was a compilation of tips on “tone, technique and creativity“ passed down by guitar playing idols. You see, one of my colleagues and I play together in a makeshift guitar band, so I’m always on the lookout for interesting articles which will help me be a better guitar virtuoso… not that I have any inclination of giving up my teaching career! Well, at least not yet!

While reading these musical pearls of guitar wisdom, it occurred to me, being the reflective practitioner I am, that there was even some wisdom to be gleaned and applied generally to my teaching practice. So the following, dear colleagues, are some of my abstract connections between the world of guitar playing and the world of teaching. I encourage you all to find your own sources of inspiration from interests or hobbies you enjoy, even if they, at least on the surface, have nothing to do with teaching. After all, what is professional development without personal development and vice versa? And, please remember as always that teaching, like guitar playing, is an art!

Continue reading →

On free thought, free expression and free association

4 Replies

Edward Lear: A Book of NonsenseEdward Lear was a master of ‘absurdest humor’ and was especially known for his nonsense verse and limericks, the latter of which he is credited with inventing. Edward Lear was also an illustrator and, of course in every sense of the word, an artist. Art is a form of an expression. And, expression is good, for with out it we are left with only silence and ultimately we become victims of repression.

Repression, of course, can be externally imposed by institutions of a political or social nature. But self-repression is yet another ugly form of the beast. When we begin swallowing our feelings or thoughts on a regular basis, we risk adopting passive-aggressive tendencies. Overtime, pressure builds and we ultimately lash out in perhaps less than appropriate ways. When this happens, it is for our anti-social behavior that we become most remembered for, rather than our moments of reserve.

Continue reading →

Affect, Effect, Reflect

Leave a reply

ELTvistaNote: The following article has been re-edited from its original form, first published in ELT-Vista in 2005.

As I mentioned in the previous post, this blog has evolved from a magazine I used to publish called ELT-Vista. Now, upon deciding for a name for the publication, I heard that Microsoft had announced that their new, though eventually ill-fated, PC operating system would be named Windows-Vista. I thought the word ‘vista’ had potential since to me the word had an arts connotation … and obviously some built-in marketing ‘oomph’ compliments of Bill Gates and company!

Before finalizing my decision, I thought I would ask a few students and colleagues to define the word ‘vista’ for me, just to see what images the word conjured for them. For the most part, they suggested the following: a beautiful view that one reflects on from a high place; an outlook or mental view embracing a series of events; a range of exciting or worrying new ideas and possibilities; the possibility or prospect of new experiences or events.

Continue reading →