Blog 8 - Ulla Conner, "Learning to Write Academic Prose..."

As I read the readings for this week, I began thinking that I can't relate to these articles...I am not a non-native educator teaching the English language. I'm not sure what I'm going to write about! However, when I read Ulla Connor's piece, I was able to relate a little. I love to write, especially historical fiction and about things that I experience in everyday life. And although I don't have experience writing as a non-native writer, I do consider myself a writer...to an extent.

I love how Connor wrote about her experiences and her ups and downs with writing in English. Many times when I read academic articles, I think that these authors just came up with these brilliant ideas and have always been this smart and scholarly. Yet, when I take a step back, I realize that these impressive authors still had to have a beginning. Connor's article has helped me put into perspective that everyone has a beginning; no one is a complete genius right from the start. Although a person may have tendencies towards a certain area, it is only with practice and opportunities that one becomes a master.

Connor has opened my eyes to how this will affect my students. I can not expect my students to learn and know English quickly and all at the same pace. Everyone is different in the levels of their abilities. Everyone must have a beginning. It is up to me, as a teacher, to help guide and foster these abilities - with speaking, reading, and writing. As Connor writes, "...problems can turn into opportunities" (p. 32). I need to take my students' beginnings and turn it into an opportunity to grow and experience English in all aspects.

Connor's list of advice for other ESL writers is very helpful (p. 37). In fact, I began to relate this list to any aspect of teaching. It is important to find out the expectations of my students before I begin teaching. Find out what they expect to learn. I also need to find strategies that work for me and for my students. Every student is going to learn differently, and I need to find the best method to reach that student. Thirdly, I need to be prepared to spend lots of time revising my lessons and the way I teach. Learn from my mistakes and see what positive methods help my students learn best. Next, I need to learn how to collaborate with other teachers. I do not have to be alone in teaching and there are other more experienced teachers who will be able to give advice and help guide me to become the best teacher I can be. I also need to remember that teaching will be a challenge. It will be a challenge to learn how to relate to the students and how to help them learn. As I said before, every student is different and it will be a challenge to find the best way to reach them. And lastly, I need to not give up. Teaching (as with any job) is full of moments where you ask yourself if this was the right profession to go into, but it is also very rewarding. I take delight in knowing that I am making an impact on these children. They look up to me and I need to rise to the challenge of helping and guiding them, not only in the academic world, but also in the real world.

So, in conclusion, Connor's article has helped me with taking a step back and realizing why I have gone into the teaching profession. I am here to give students an opportunity to take their beginnings and blossom into a proficient and capable speaker/reader/writer of English (or whatever I end up teaching). I am here to make an impact on these students.