Professional Reflection

Addressing the needs of the ever-changing classroom is essential for a

teacher to maintain their effectiveness in the classroom. It is even more son when
you stop to consider how social and economic globalization has brought people to
our communities in a relatively short time and at a more rapid pace. As these
changes to our communities take place, we must face certain realities regarding the
society we are becoming. One of those realities is that we must accommodate and
support the educational needs of our changing demographic population.
The lessons offered in this course revealed many important considerations to
review as we work toward becoming an impactful effective instructor. It revealed
the impact our efforts can have on our communities. Including the second language
strategies is a greater endeavor than just teaching another language. We have an
opportunity to bring a richer and more meaningful lesson to the students we
encounter regardless of their language proficiency. There is a more meaningful
lesson to the student when we can enrich their learning experience by
demonstrating the value of language acquisition. This course not only revealed
values to the student, it also gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own
practices. I now have a set of resources to refer to which will give me a better idea
of how to make my classroom more inclusive and effective.
I have a better understanding of how learning happens. I can consider
perspectives which will allow me to consider other ways to accommodate a student
who has language challenges. Students may articulate their knowledge in other
ways which makes their time in class more productive. Rather than focusing all
their time on language acquisition, they can make a genuine contribution to their

learning process. Our society has historically learned to change based on the needs
of the people who live in it. Regardless of whether we agree with the level diversity
we are inevitably going to face, it is incumbent upon us to adjust to the changes
that come with increased diversity, because our society suffers if we ignore it.
The research in this module showed many impactful concepts that will be
instrumental in my professional growth. Making use of grammatical, cognitive, and
communitive approaches will aid in the learning process as they all have their uses
in second language acquisition. Additionally, having the techniques and tools to
assess not only content proficiency but language proficiency will be instrumental in
preparing lessons that allow students a more meaningful growth and learning
experience.
Probably the most meaningful lesson gained from this module is the
importance to reflect on my practices and learn to continuously adjust to the
circumstances of the students needs whether they be academic or cultural. Ive
become more aware of my responsibility as an educator to foster a positive and
welcoming learning environment. It truly requires a genuine effort to ensure that all
students receive the opportunity to demonstrate their success and encourage
lifelong learning.