Sara, 6 years old

CHN 645 Teaching portfolios

Molly Shih
 Outline
Action research

Observations of peer teachers

Teaching demos and reflections (CHN 102, CHN 402,

immersion classes)

Teaching philosophy
 I spent SO MUCH time
making every handout. But
still, my students just could
not get the gist.
They have a hard time using
what I had taught them...

Nope. I still dont

understand.
 Action research

Research question: Chinese teacher as a learning facilitator

Peer observations

Step 1: Step 2:
Step 3:
What I learned Lesson planning
Reflections and
from previous and teaching
improvements
studies demos
 Teacher as a learning facilitator (Grasha, 1994)
teachers should facilitate a change

teachers are authentic human beings with feelings, hopes, strengths and weaknesses
teachers join students honestly as a continuing co-learner

Emphasizes the personal nature of teacher student interactions

Guides students by asking questions, exploring options, suggesting alternatives, and

encouraging them to develop criteria to make informed choices. Overall goal is to develop in
students the capacity for independent action and responsibility.

Works with students on projects in a consultative fashion and provides much support and
encouragement
 Peer Chinese teachers as facilitators
Sun Laoshi in CHN 402: Y Laoshi in CHN 102:

Guides students by asking The detective activity demonstrated

questions, suggesting a new way of grammar practicing-
alternatives, and encouraging showed that the teacher facilitated a
them to develop criteria to make change. J
informed choices. J

Rui Laoshi in CHN 102:

Zhi Laoshi in CHN 102:
The pre- and post- student self-
Emphasizes the personal nature
assessment showed that the teacher
of teacher student interactions. J
was ready ti join students honestly
as a continuing co-learner. J
 CHN 402 students feedback
I feel like being able to freely ask questions about anything helped us practice our Chinese.

(The teacher) makes sure everyone has a chance to talk.

At the start of class, the ability to ask her any question was a nice icebreaker.

She gave everyone an equal opportunity and was available for questions/concerns.

The preview quiz was helpful to class.

 CHN 402 teaching demo reflections
facilitate a change

teachers join students honestly as a continuing co-learner

Emphasizes the personal nature of teacher student interactions

Guides students by asking questions, exploring options, suggesting alternatives, and

encouraging them to develop criteria to make informed choices.

Works with students on projects in a consultative fashion and provides much support and
encouragement
 CHN 102 students feedback
She was very energetic and had us speak a lot and interact with others. The game
and story were fun as well.

I loved the fact that she gave instructions out in English along with a Chinese
because it made it a lot easier for me to understand what was going on in class.

Spend a little more time explaining the grammar behind the last activity

Activity over load

 CHN 102 teaching demo reflections
facilitate a change

teachers join students honestly as a continuing co-learner

Emphasizes the personal nature of teacher student interactions

Guides students by asking questions, exploring options, suggesting alternatives, and

encouraging them to develop criteria to make informed choices.

Works with students on projects in a consultative fashion and provides much support and
encouragement
Immersion teaching
Zachary, 7 years old
Kaula, 6 years old

Ryder, 5 years old

 Teaching philosophy
Learn about students' cultures

Vary teaching approaches to accommodate diverse learning

styles and language proficiency

Utilize various resources in the students' communities

Motivation is a product of good teaching,
not its prerequisite.

---John Biggs, 1999