Page 90 - ENGLISH PORTFOLIO

REFLECTION

English has become one of the most dominating languages across the globe and it is recognized as
language of learning and teaching in most countries. In South Africa English is most commonly used as a

language of learning and teaching. I chose to become an English teacher because I saw how people
struggle with it especially those who are not first language speakers. I for one had challenges with it and

I decided to become a teacher so that I can help those who are having challenges with it. An English

teacher should firstly, read, speak and write a lot. This will help in paving a way for his career so that he
can be able to encourage and influence his learners to do the same.

As an English teacher I make it my daily routine that I read at least a chapter of a novel daily or even just
a poetry. I believe that reading could enhance other factors such as listening, writing and speaking which

are also important outcomes of teaching English and some of the things we need to achieve as English

teachers. This is the most important aspect that I value in teaching English as I believe it could also be
self-educational for learners. In my teaching practices I liked a lesson where I taught learners how to write

an obituary and they responded very well because they had a prior knowledge of the topic and I learnt
that it is imperative that we use activities and topics that learners can relate to in life.

My worst teaching scenario in my experience was when I was teaching reading skills and I discovered

that over half of the grade 11 class could not read. The lesson was not as fruitful as I thought that it would
be because I put learners in the center of learning. It becomes less educational if learners are not taking

charge of their own learning. In both events I have learnt that as a teacher you should always plan forward
and ensure that you have a strategy should things not go your way. As a teacher I have also learnt that

you should always reflect on your teaching and learning experiences so that you can come back to identify
areas that you had challenges with.

Personally, I have learnt that when you are a teacher you should always be patient with yourself and the

learners. This will always help you because you will learn that as a teacher you are a life long learner and
some of the challenges that will come your way will be meant to teach you something. In life too you

should be a patient person so that you are able to learn before you can teach. This will also be a factor in
your professional development. Professionally I have benefited a lot because of my lesson preparations,

I learnt that as a teacher one should always have a plan to teach. In life and work sector one should

always learn to get along with others and work well with them.

The biggest challenge that is huge in my English language teaching is that learners not being the language

speakers at home. this becomes a challenge as they do not speak the language at home or school or
even anywhere. It becomes a challenge to you even as a teacher to encourage them to speak and practice

English as some of the teachers may not be teaching them in the language of learning and teaching in

other subjects. So, I have learnt that in my classroom I should always encourage my learners to why they
should try to learn English and how important it is for their future. As a teacher I believe this challenge can