The interview
The interview seemed to go well. The principal then asked, “So, what is your philosophy of teaching English?”
“My teaching philosophy?” The TEFL interviewee squirmed in her seat, tugging at the collar of a blouse that was suddenly too tight. She felt the water run down her back. A certain moisture covered her palms.
“Yes. Do you have a teaching philosophy?” the director repeated. The interview had taken a distinctive decline. The best positions that pay the best dollars require the best professionals.
“Well, I’m not quite sure what you mean.” replied the teacher. “I can tell you what I do in my classes, what materials I use and how I interact with the students. Is that what you mean?”
No, that is NOT what the Director of the Language Institute meant. The interview ended. So did the teacher’s prospects at that high-end institution.
Philosophy of Education
A teacher’s education philosophy is now used as a major marketing strategy by savvy teachers and has become an essential component of a teacher’s resume and portfolio. It has evolved to become part of a teacher’s personal profile, which outlines all of their essential skill sets and unique qualities, and highlights the teacher’s specialties. (D. Sofsian, 2006) Check out these websites for more information:
• Create your own electronic portfolio
http://portfolioselectronicos.org/portfolios/iste2k.html
• My “online portfolio adventure”
http://portfolioselectronicos.org/myportfolio/versions.html
• How to Create an Electronic Portfolio
[http://www.essdack.org/port/how.html]
Expert author Damian Sofsian in his article, “Philosophies of Teacher Education”, talks about five types of teaching philosophies: (http://ezinearticles.com/?Teacher-Education-Philosophies&id=227410)
• Liberal: whose objective is to develop the intellectual powers
• Behavioral: These ideologies focus on the survival skills of a human being and the role of education in teaching them.
• Progressive: motivates the cultural development of an individual to achieve social change
• Humanistic: trends analyze the general development of personality and characteristics of an individual
• Radical: These philosophers are interested in the beneficial changes that should occur in a society from time to time, and the role of education in bringing about political, social, and economic change.
The philosophy of teacher education is now a major marketing strategy used by EFL and TEFL teachers and has become an essential component of a language teacher’s resume and personal profile. (D.Sofsian, 2006)
Education Philosophy References
Before embarking on developing your own philosophy of education, check out these sites for more detailed information and sample Educational Philosophy statements.
• Samples of Philosophy of Education
http://www.wilderdom.com/philosophy/SampleEducationPhilosophies.html
• Materials on Philosophy of Education
[http://commhum.mccneb.edu/PHILOS/phileduc.htm]
• Philosophy of Education Links
http://dmoz.org/Society/Philosophy/Philosophy_of_Education/
His Philosophy of Education
What is your philosophy of education? If you “don’t have one”, now would be a good time to further investigate the aspects of one. Add your philosophy to all your teaching areas. Let it permeate what you do and how you approach your craft from every angle, from preparation to class activities, problem solving, discipline, and evaluation. His philosophy helps set him apart from those who just show up, do the bare minimum, and collect their paychecks. In these days of increasing professionalism, higher requirements for teaching staff, and higher expectations from educational administrators, TEFL teachers, regardless of their current status, simply cannot afford to be lax.