Teaching Philosophy By: Nevin Kamal I never teach my pupils.

I only attempt to provide conditions in which they can learn Albert Einstein My teaching philosophy is based on providing ESL students with a supportive learning environment, encouraging students to develop communicative competence by engaging them in meaningful activities, and meeting their needs to succeed in English academic environment. My role as a teacher is to provide students with supportive friendly learning environment. I have to reduce any learning anxieties and thus enhance their learning progress. This is based on Krashens affective filter hypothesis that highlights the negative effects of anxiety, tension, and stress and how they can hinder the learning process (Krashen, 1982). As a result, my ultimate objective is to create a positive learning environment in which students are able to express themselves freely and are comfortable to learn. Bearing Krashens hypothesis in mind, my teaching practice has two main goals: facilitating students understanding of the subject matter and encouraging students develop their own abilities and skills. Deep learning occurs when students are able to make cognitive and social connections. Cognitive connection is achieved when students are able to relate new learnt concepts to their prior knowledge in a meaningful way. Social connections are achieved when students interact with their peers and teachers in a learning environment that supports construction of knowledge. This is achieved by using wide range of teaching methods and engaging students in different and meaningful activities. To help my students develop their own abilities and skills, I encourage them to question their own viewpoints and look at their knowledge and skill level as a transitory state that will change by exerting the necessary effort and practice. I work with my students to acknowledge and believe in their own abilities to improve. This can only be achieved by developing the students critical thinking abilities by engaging students in activities that would help them relate the content to their personal life. I use a variety of sources in my teaching: text-based, task-based, context-based, and integrated syllabus. I provide tasks that initiate interaction and classroom discussions. I try to apply the communicative approach whenever possible to reflect real life language use and help learners to move gradually to become independent language learners. Different language skills such as grammar, vocabulary, and other learning activities and tasks are used to promote language learning.

Bearing this idea, I envision technology as an integral part of the learning and teaching process. The use of technology changes the dynamics of the classroom and the teacher in this case in no longer the source of information but serves as a facilitator of instruction or a mentor. I believe that integrating technology promotes interaction and cooperative learning. Besides, the integration of technology determines the degree of teacher's intervention in the learning process. I try to integrate technology to develop meaningful tasks for my students. By doing so, learning becomes meaningful and students tend to internalize what is being taught. I engage students in a variety of activities for different language skills: grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Engaging students in pair or group activities such as web-quests, PowerPoint presentations, digital storytelling, and other projectbased activities relevant to their language level promote their interest in the content and bring fun to the classroom. My teaching practice is based around the three principles: Energy, Empathy, and Expand. I try to bring high level of liveliness to the classroom. By doing this, I emphasize to my students the importance of the subject. Such energy will allow students to become motivated and enhance the class dynamics. The second principle is empathy. Adopting this concept helps me to recognize the needs and the concerns of my students. A highly empathic teacher will help to develop a classroom atmosphere in which students feel comfortable and allow the learning process to flow smoothly. The last principle is expanding. I strongly believe that teachers, as well as students, need to expand their knowledge of the subject matter. It is essential that teachers and students should never be satisfied with their abilities and refuse to grow because when this occurs, the classroom environment becomes stagnant and boring. As an ESL instructor, I understand the importance of being flexible to adopt or adapt different teaching approaches, methods, and technologies in my teaching. I also believe that as I gain more knowledge and experience in teaching ESL, my personal teaching philosophy will continue to evolve for the better. Finally, to continuously develop my teaching skills, I have to reflect continuously on my teaching and point out my strengths and weakness.