Teaching Philosophy

The world we live in has become a very small place due to the global business economy and the influence of technology. Because of this, people around the world have developed a keen interest in learning about different cultures, including learning foreign languages. As a foreign language educator, I am surrounded by different philosophies and ideas of best classroom practices. As I learn about these practices, I pull upon different methods and beliefs that shape me as a teacher. These methodologies and beliefs impact the way I interact with my students, the physical and perceived atmosphere I create, the way I view myself as an instructor, and the teaching methods I use in the classroom.  

One of my primary goals as a teacher is to provide students with information and opportunities that create interest and motivation. The primary way I accomplish this is through intrinsic motivation. I firmly believe that in order for students to learn, they have to have a desire to do so. I strive to provide an environment where students can learn about the world around them and how this world directly affects them. I provide information that will challenge the students, encouraging them to ‘dig deeper’ to find the true meaning of the topic we are discussing. Students are engaged through the use of realia, props, authentic German material, music, and many other avenues.  

I believe a welcoming, positive, and safe classroom environment helps me accomplish my main goal, which is creating a love for the German language and culture. In order to create a positive and interesting physical environment, I have posters hanging on the walls, student work on display, and eye catching decorations that pertain to the German language and culture. I also feel my attitude creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom. I work to build positive relationships with my students and get to know them on an individual level. Building respectful relationships with students also lends itself for pulling from the individual backgrounds and experiences that students have had into daily lessons, making the entire learning experience more rewarding for the students.

As an educator, I believe that I have certain responsibilities to my students. These include providing structure in the classroom, providing clear expectations that apply to all students, creating a learning environment that is welcoming for all students, making sure lessons have clear objectives that provide purpose and relevance to the students, and working as a facilitator in the daily workings of my classroom. It is my job to facilitate learning through teacher-student, student-teacher, and student-student interactions.

I also believe in a classroom that is rich with differentiation, which is accomplished through active learning. Should you have the opportunity to walk into my classroom, you will see the desks arranged in small groups, where students are working collaboratively to learn, develop theories, and put information into practice. You will see students grouped together homogeneously and heterogeneously, based on the activity. Depending on when you walk in, students could be explaining grammatical concepts to each other, carrying on targeted conversations with each other, working collaboratively to complete an activity or project, or playing a game utilizing new material or information.

As a life-long learner, my philosophy today will continue to evolve and develop as I gain experience as an educator, but I believe I have a strong foundation that serves as a framework for my classroom. As Peter Block, a business philosopher, once said, “One’s vision is not a roadmap but a compass.” The philosophy I have provides a compass for creating a positive, engaging, and exciting learning environment for all of my students.

​-Elizabeth Gurney, 2008