Tag Archives: self reflection

Inspiration from afar from those who play guitar!

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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!

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Taking Charge: Classroom Management

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The Thinker Musee RodinBefore you read any further, ask yourself the following questions and answer them honestly.

Are you teaching English until you find something more fulfilling or interesting to do with your life, that is, how seriously do you take this profession?

What do you love and hate about this job?

What qualities do you share with other teachers you admire?

What is your ‘Achilles heel’ as far as being a teacher is concerned?

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time as regards this profession?

The previous questions were basically designed to help you determine whether it is worth your while to read any further. What is meant, in other words, is that classroom management is something needs thought, reflection and action, something that anyone who wishes to provide something of value to teaching must pay serious attention to. Anyone who is not serious about EFL would not and should not be concerned about classroom management issues.

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Is Your Wine Glass Half Empty Or Half Full?

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WARNING: This article might shock you! Hopefully however, it will shock you into action rather than depression. Of course, a lot might depend on the way you look at things because, like many things in life, it can be taken either positively or negatively.

OK, so what are we talking about here? Well, it is my intention through this blog to help you gain not only a better sense of control of your classes, but also perhaps even of your life. It’s not my intention to make you realize all the things you don’t do in the classroom or to foster in you a complete sense of frustration and loss of self-esteem. In fact, what I will share with you is not specific to EFL or ESL teachers, but rather it relates to common elements that all teachers of all disciplines must address: classroom management and more generally life management skills.

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Affect, Effect, Reflect

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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.

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