Well, Daniel and I were put into a group to do a presentation for Principles of ESL Teaching and Learning, one of the very last tasks for this week. Th topic for our presentation was basically a discussion on aspects of the teaching-learning on the Tesl Foundation Programme which are good and aspects which could be improved.
Some of the good aspects we spoke about were the lecturers' personality and attitude. We find that almost all of the lecturers from the Tesl Department are very ENTHUSIASTIC, COMPASSIONATE and EMPHATIC by nature.
How is a student motivated to attend to the subject matter?
- Teachers allowing themselves to convey the true zest for learning that we feel
- Teachers are fascinated by our subject matter or they wouldn't be teaching it!
- Teachers developed a habit of allowing a maximal voice projection.
- Teachers use the tools of eye contact, facial expression, gestures and postural changes.
- Teachers provide encouragement all the time.
- Teachers are very genuine and smile like they mean it.
- Teachers allow students to take ownership of their learning and let them make their own decisions.
- Teacher's expectations are be aligned with our needs.
So, all these scenarios are associated with attracting and holding our attention and we're pretty much tuned in with the exciting materials that they're about to hand out which facilitates better learning.
On the other hand, we pointed out some aspects that could be improved for a better teaching-learning in our programme.
LONG HOUR CLASSES and WORK LOAD.
We have classes stretch from 8am to 6.30pm with only an hour lunch break. I find this time of classes quite intolerable as each lesson are a duration of 3 and a half hour. Sometimes, due to long and lengthy hours of lectures, we experience lethargy and sometimes boring topic and get spaced out in class just waiting to go home. Some students have to catch their train home while some are obliged to drive home in the massive traffic jam.
We suggest that the Eng Department could make the necessary arrangement to shorten the duration of classes as well as set the time according to the convenience of both the lecturers and students.
Besides, the work load that we have to endure is crazy. QUIZZES, PRESENTATION, ASSIGNMENT, PROJECTS, TESTS, EXAMINATION and the list goes on. We totally understand this is basically the perks of being a college student but we deserve to get our rest time, extracurricular time and on study time too. It's already the 24th of November 2014 which marks the last week of study before our finals. NIGHTMARE. So many assignments to submit and other presentations to do that come clashing in with our study time. So how am I suppose to focus all at one time? So do I complete the assignment? Or do I prepare my slides for my presentation? Or do I start revising for the finals?
It's alright to get to us to do a lot of tasks as they're beneficial to us as well as help us with our future. Nevertheless, I suggest the department could provide a course schedule that is more manageable for us?
Lastly, we totally understand that The HOD and also the other members of the department are having a hard time with the constant moving from building to building. Thus, leads us to problems like insufficient classroom, constant cancellation of classes and changes in the class venue. However, I have to say that we have to tolerate and let the changes take place as they are for good reasons. The department is making every possible way to provide us with a quality teaching-learning environment.
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