REFLECTIONS: Building Good Habits
PRE-SCHOOLERS ARE INNOVATIVE
My first two assignments after A-levels were with a childcare centre and relief teaching at secondary schools. Working with children is enjoyable for me because I love to engage their sense of wonder with a little imagination. They are learning to manage their emotional and social skills. They easily forgive their friends and quickly move on joyfully - a trait I find most endearing
My Canossian kindergarten teacher, Sister Erica from Italy, taught me that all children need kindness and love - talk to them nicely, be patient, and they will reciprocate. My grandmothers are also my role models of wisdom in how they raised babies and children without corporeal punishment or loud voices.
I prioritise respectful behaviours for children to self-regulate and negotiate conflicts; to be independent in helping themselves and cooperating with others - vital skills for lifelong learning. I support parents in wanting the best for their child.
There is great satisfaction in watching children master a new skill and successfully do something. It is even more precious to see a child keep trying to do better and be there to celebrate with them the moment they unlock a new achievement.
TEENAGERS ARE DOING THEIR BEST
My teenagers are often tired and overwhelmed, yet they have extraordinary wisdom that can be drawn out with the right questions. They need help with a structure to engage them in meaningful discussions that suit their teen identities and situations. They also want to know why they have to learn this or that, and not just for the grades.
I find it helpful to reinforce their purpose for learning by aligning it with a current dream or an ambition they might have. We work on steps they need to achieve their goals and make learning relevant to them personally.
Sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise, and stress management form the delicate ecosystem that motivates their concentration - they worry about what their futures will be like and how will they survive. Their life journey is fraught with uncertainty in this new era of technology; they need mental and emotional resilience to innovate and re-learn.
I am honest with my students about how they are making progress; either we uncover solutions together or we find the courage to try again. We are not just resilient, we are anti-fragile.
ADULTS ARE PASSIONATE
My first experience of teaching English for hospitality to Thai service staff was fascinating; they carried on with humour and diligence so that they may serve tourists better. We did role plays to practise probable guest scenarios with rather interesting cultural feedback about dealing with worst case scenarios.
My more recent experiences are with non-English-speaking expatriates who wish to have a better command of the language for daily matters when they relocate to Singapore.
Working with adults who are enthusiastic about improving themselves is refreshing - they are responsive and responsible in taking charge of their learning.
Expanding on the communicative approach to engage language learning and combining English with a blend of out-of-the-classroom tactics appear to be as helpful to learners for real world preparation and application.