This class is designed for writers aged 13+ who are…
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I am inspired by the Socratic method in teaching. When students are at the center, lessons are led by asking essential questions. I may provide them, or I may work with a learner to identify them. Once I know the goal we are aiming for, I work backwards to put the pieces in place for the student to arrive at new understandings. I'm not as interested in telling a learner what to think as in helping them explore how they arrive at their opinion.
It's my job to show students how to slow down, take time to read, discuss, and write about a topic. The world wants immediate yes or no answers to complex problems, but it's not correct to expect that. I am a big supporter of journaling, exploratory writing and discussion. People arrive at their understandings via watching, reading, listening, discussing and writing. So, a combination of these elements is crucial.
A successful learning experience will include spicy discussion, time to synthesize new ideas, reflective writing, and finally presenting a finished product. I like helping learners hone their writing by editing and returning essays for improvement. This process unfailingly improves writing skills, attention to detail and ability to clearly articulate ideas.
In the ESL area, my best skills are applied with those already proficient in English who are seeking nuance and humor. We do this via discussion topics chosen by the student (or myself if necessary), writing and vocabulary work, and current idioms that apply to their desired environment. (Business, education, conversation, etc.)
