Module #3 Assignment: Teacher's Curriculum Interview

My Interview Questions
1.  What is most important when you design class?

2. Which teacher's role in class will you take when you design curriculum?

3. What do you think the ideal teacher's role is in class?

The Original Interview File

Summary of the Interview
First of all, I'd like to thank you Amy for letting me interview her. While interviewing, I realized how much she considers and deliberates for a better and more productive curriculum. It was one of the significant moments in my teaching experience. She has a clear and strong belief in her instruction and accurately is aware of what she tries to teach and what she intends to make students learn. I was so impressed by her passion and philosophy for education. Definitely this interview gave a precious opportunity to make myself a much better instructor and curriculum designer.

Module #2 My Reflection on Graves(1,2,3)

During 8 years of teaching English in public schools, I have had the rich experience of planning lessons. However, everytime I plan a lesson, I have a hard time due to the difference between ideal and reality. This chapter made me realize there are so many things to be considered before planning a lesson. I could be aware that people, physical setting, nature of course and institution, teaching resources, and time can be the core factors and play important roles in defining the context. I have had not been so considerate about some detail parts in planning a lesson, which made me feel embarrassed. Also, there were some useful tips to follow when I have a problem gathering enough information about the context.

I've always believed that the teacher's belief in the instruction has a great impact on the student's learning process. My teaching experience naturally let me know that crucial fact. However, it was tough for me to define and explain what the teacher's belief really was. After reading Graves(2000), I definitely got to know how much my view of language, learning and learners, and teaching affects my instruction. I feel the responsibility as a teacher since my thought, experience and teaching belief influence a lesson plan and a course design as well.

"Designing a course is similar to designing a house."(Graves, 2000, p.14) and "Your course design should marry your beliefs with the needs of the students within the context of the course."(Graves, 2000, p.36) I conclude these two sentences hold almost everything that Graves wants to say and they will be always kept in my mind.

Module #1 First Assignment; About Myself

My B.A. degree major is English Education. I've been teaching English for 8 years. Now I'm teaching 1st graders in Sannam High School in Cheongju. My current and target teaching levels are the same.

As a teacher once I selected an English textbook for 1st graders in high school. Rarely I had the experience with the school curriculum both as a learner and as a teacher.

I'm very comfortable with laptop, cell phone and MP3. I use game, calculator, dictionary, calender, memo, phone book, camera, MP3 and so on with my cell phone. Sooner or later I'm going to buy iphone. As I mentioned, I use the cell phone dictionary and laptop for language learning and teaching.

I expect to find out that which TESOL curriculum design could fit best on Korean English teaching situation.