The Spanish Education program was an enlightening and highly informative not only at the academic level, but also the personal level. Through the successful completion of this program, I have benefitted as a professional educator from the development of several skills necessary for being a good educationist. The Spanish education program has helped me recognise and develop some core teaching skills which will enable me to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills to the classroom. I find myself more competent with synthesizing information from multiple sources or formats and using this information to devise new strategies to teach students effectively.
The comprehensive study of literature texts has honed my ability to think and write clearly and concisely, and speak and listen attentively, giving me the confidence to make decisions, in my professional as well as personal life. As an educationist, I am aware of the need and importance of respecting individuality, culture and diversity is an important tool in teaching, especially a foreign language. The knowledge gained through this course has deepened my knowledge and sensitivity to cultures, thereby enabling me to better adapt myself to Spanish learning students. With the help of this portfolio, I am to demonstrate my knowledge, skills and understanding gained through the course.
My portfolio is a representation of the level and expertise of my knowledge, professional competencies and academic excellence attained through the course by way of coursework and practical training programs. As a self disciplined individual, I seek to use the portfolio to showcase my research, writing, critical thinking and teaching skills, presenting some of my best works from the program. The portfolio is a reflection of my finest works in all areas of teaching such as assessment, communication skills, critical thinking abilities, planning and assessment as an efficient teacher, and the understanding, employment and integration of technology to teach Spanish in the classroom. Ethics is among the most vital aspects of human life, not restricted merely to the classroom. The portfolio demonstrates my sensitivity and keen understanding of the importance of ethics as an essential responsibility and necessity in the domain of teaching and learning. The portfolio also underlines the importance of cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity, a necessary tool for teaching, especially to students learning a foreign language.
Equipped with all the necessary tools for teaching, I find myself capable, efficient and prepared as a teacher of Spanish. The portfolio demonstrates my ability to actively employ the knowledge and education gained through the course in the classroom. My ability to plan, instruct and design lessons to suit the needs of students gives me an edge as a Spanish teacher. By doing so, I am better able to engage students and make subject matter more intelligible to them. I am also able to monitor them effectively during the instruction periods. I find myself equipped with greater skills to assess students more comprehensively. Finally, I am prepared with the expertise create and maintain effective environments in student learning which is the final goal of all education programs, as reflected in the portfolio. My portfolio is a reflection of my teaching philosophy, “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own” Nikos Kazantzakis.