Pedagogical Mediation in Language Learning

Pedagogical Mediation in Language Learning

Recognition of the initial situation

Deivis Armando Diaz Suarez Tutor: Liliana Puerto Molina

Challenges you would like to take to be an excellent English language mediator.

In the pursuit of becoming an exceptional English language mediator, there are numerous obstacles that I am eager to overcome. Primarily, my goal is to attain a comprehensive mastery of the English language, encompassing not only grammar and vocabulary but also the cultural context, idiomatic expressions, and colloquialisms that are commonly utilized in everyday conversations. Another significant challenge is the development of strong intercultural communication skills. As a language mediator, it is imperative to recognize and appreciate the cultural differences that may arise during communication. This entails being cognizant of cultural norms, values, and communication styles that vary across different cultures. Furthermore, I am eager to enhance my technological expertise. In today's world, technology plays a pivotal role in language mediation. Keeping up to date with the latest translation tools and online language resources can significantly augment the efficacy of language mediation. Continuous learning and professional development are also challenges that I am prepared to embrace. Language is a dynamic entity that is constantly evolving. Therefore, ongoing learning and professional development are crucial in remaining relevant and effective as a language mediator. Lastly, I firmly believe that cultivating empathy and understanding is imperative for any proficient language mediator. This involves comprehending people's perspectives, emotions, and intentions, which can greatly elevate the quality of mediation.

Ideas for mediating pleasant English language learning experiences in the classroom and outside of it.

Incorporate interactive activities: Engage students in interactive activities such as group discussions, role plays, and language games to make learning English more enjoyable. This will enhance their language skills and foster a positive classroom environment.

Use multimedia resources: Integrate multimedia resources like videos, podcasts, and online platforms into your English lessons. These resources can make learning more dynamic and stimulating, as students can visually and audibly engage with the language in different contexts.

Create a supportive learning environment: Foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves in English. Encourage open discussions, active participation, and respect for diverse perspectives to create a positive learning atmosphere.

Organize language exchange programs: Collaborate with other schools or language institutes to organize language exchange programs. This will provide students with opportunities to practice English with native speakers or students from different cultural backgrounds, enhancing their language skills and cultural awareness.

Plan field trips: Organize field trips to places such as museums, cultural centers, or local communities where students can practice English in real-life situations. This will not only expose them to authentic language use but also provide them with opportunities to explore different cultures and expand their knowledge.

Use authentic materials: Incorporate authentic materials such as newspapers, magazines, or real-life scenarios into your English lessons. This will expose students to real-world English usage and help them develop practical language skills.

Encourage self-expression: Provide platforms for students to express themselves creatively through writing, storytelling, or presentations. This will boost their confidence in English and promote their individuality in learning.

Celebrate cultural diversity: Organize multicultural events or theme days where students can share their cultural backgrounds and traditions. This will create a sense of belonging among students and foster a deeper appreciation for diversity.

Offer personalized feedback: Provide timely and constructive feedback to students on their language progress. This will help them identify areas for improvement and motivate them to continue their language-learning journey.

Collaborate with parents and the community: Engage parents and the local community in supporting English language learning initiatives. This can be done through parent-teacher meetings, community events, or partnerships with local businesses that offer English language support.

Summary and important facts about the video "Creativity in the Classroom”

The video explores the importance of creativity in the classroom, providing research-based insights and suggestions for teachers to understand and develop their own creativity as well as that of their students. It discusses the definition of creativity as involving newness and appropriateness in specific situations and emphasizes the need for teachers to create a safe and open atmosphere for students to take risks and explore their own creative potential. The video also highlights the role of cross-curricular collaboration and the integration of arts in multicultural curriculum to enhance creativity and engage students in their learning.

The video contains crucial information that I would like to point out or emphasize: • Creativity needs to be encouraged and supported by educators, researchers, parents, and policymakers. • Teachers can enhance their creativity by engaging in a variety of creative activities and experimenting with new ways of teaching. • Changing state education accountability systems to credit creativity and problem-solving would encourage teachers to focus on it. • Integrating arts into a multicultural curriculum can improve standardized test scores and increase self-esteem. • Building relationships between teachers and students is important for fostering creativity. • Sometimes it is not necessary to grade assignments. • Open-ended assignments can be interesting but challenging to grade. • Activities that encourage intrinsic motivation are valuable. • The creative process is full of emotional experiences and positive emotions can enhance creativity. • Teaching is constant problem-solving and requires new ideas and creative skills. • Using visual learning strategies, such as drawing pictures or highlighting important information, can help engage visual learners.

Ideas about new possibilities for teaching according to the suggestions given in the video and the text about creativity.

I believe that the suggestions given in the video and the text offer many new possibilities for teaching. For example, I can incorporate cross-curricular collaboration and integrate arts into my lessons to encourage creativity and engagement in my students. I can also create a safe and open atmosphere in my classroom that allows my students to take risks and explore their own creative potential. Additionally, I can provide interesting and open-ended assignments that do not focus solely on grades, but instead encourage intrinsic motivation in my students. Finally, I can tap into my students' creativity and channel it into their school work, which can lead to improved standardized test scores and better outcomes for my students.

Facts about my pedagogical practices.

I have personally experienced the transformative effects of integrating technology into my teaching practices. The use of multimedia presentations, video clips, and interactive exercises has significantly increased student engagement and participation. I have observed that students enjoy the variety and the change of pace from traditional teaching methods. Furthermore, the use of visual aids and language learning apps has improved students’ understanding of complex concepts. The instant feedback provided by these tools has proven to be highly effective in helping students grasp the material more easily. In addition, collaborative tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Teams have fostered a sense of community among my students. Working together on projects and assignments has not only improved their language skills but also their teamwork and communication skills. One of the most significant benefits of technology integration has been the ability for students to continue learning outside the classroom. They can practice at their own pace, revisit challenging topics, and even explore areas of personal interest. This has been a game-changer in terms of promoting continuous learning. From a teaching perspective, these technological tools have allowed me to diversify my teaching methods and tailor my lessons to meet the diverse needs of my students. I have been able to track student progress more effectively, identify areas where they struggle, and provide targeted support.

A big opportunity to improve my pedagogical practices is to identify my students´ learning needs, every student has a unique way of learning. Some may be visual learners, others auditory or kinesthetic. By understanding their learning profiles, I can adapt my teaching methods to suit their preferred learning styles. For example, for visual learners, I could use more images and diagrams, while for auditory learners, I could incorporate more discussions and verbal explanations.

References• Richards, J. (2002). 30 Years of TEFL/TESL: A personal Reflection. Singapore. In RELC Journal, Vol 33, 2, 2002, pp.1-36. https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/30-years of TEFL.pdf • Richards, J. (2014). The Changing Face of Language Learning: Learning Beyond the Classroom. In RELC Journal, Vol 45, 1, pp.1- 18. https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/The Changing- Face-of-Language-Learning-RELC.pdf • Tebar, L. (2011). El panorama educativo en la sociedad actual. In El profesor mediador del aprendizaje (2nd ed., pp. 19–53). Bogotá D.C.: Editorial Magisterio. http://bibliotecadigital.magisterio.co.bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co/libro/el profesor-mediador-del-aprendizaje-0 • Video "Creativity in the Classroom": https://youtu.be/oQqFFaJJ8gc • Richards, J. (2013). Creativity in Language Teaching. Plenary address given at City University of Hong Kong, 5th June 2013. University of Hong Kong. https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp content/uploads/Creativity-in-Language-Teaching.pdf