How an English Teacher Changed My Learning

Essay, Pages 6 (1311 words)

Views

I hadn’t had any interest in teaching until much later in high school. I knew nothing about it but things changed for me after that. It began with fellow students at high school in 2013, telling me “you have a mesmerizing ability to persuade someone, you can make a good teacher ” I would only smile at their opinions because I had no idea of what best I could be. As time went on their words sank in. I got attached to these opinions and eventually, decided to begin with leadership.

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get your custom essay on

“ How an English Teacher Changed My Learning ”

Get custom paper

NEW! smart matching with writer

I contested for school leadership and became a general secretary in a student government. Being a leader was a fortune experience that increased my confidence and changed my self-image. It made me realize my potential and talents. The way I organized, communicated, and dealt with various students’ challenges outshone and uncovered who I was right from within. I did my leadership with courtesy serving fellow students and acting as a link between them and teachers.

Since I was curious about who the teacher was, this rendered me a rare chance to discuss things with teachers personally and know how it is to be a teacher. I still remember the words of one of my teacher called Miss. Prisca Andrew, my English teacher who in so many ways impressed me with her mastery of subject content and the ability to deliver it and make us understand more easily. She once told me that knowledge is worthless unless it is shared. She also added that a teacher is more than just teaching, they are our second parents and friends we can rely on in every way.

They are there to brighten up our ways and open our eyes to walk diligently through this world, more than ever these words developed my desire for becoming a teacher. Responding to my classmates’ claims, I organized my class to establish an evening program where I served as a facilitator. This program successfully improved our academic performance.

Furthermore, I soon started volunteering to teach at my former secondary school after high school graduation. The five months I spent working with students were found to be the more gratifying and confirmed with my inner belief that I could make a good teacher. I took that experience from high school to heart and applied to join the University of Dar es salaam in the 2015/2016 academic year to pursue a bachelor’s degree. My ultimate goal was to expand my academic horizon and become a part of an incredible family of teachers. Second, to none, the university broadened my knowledge, developed my skills, and perfectly prepared me for a profession that I desired to excel at. It is an excellent platform that provided me with a collection of community experiences and personal development opportunities. Due to my good interpersonal skills and sociable nature fellow students preferred to choose me to lead them on academic and social issues.

My excellence in interpersonal communication skills and good work ethics earned me membership in Calvary Youth Choir, DUCE Linguistics Club, YALI Initiative, and Tanzania Youth Ministry (TAYOMI) where i also served as a chairperson. At the university, I did various courses in Education, Linguistics and Literature which equipped me well with essential knowledge and skills enough to become a competent English teacher. I have always wanted to do things with excellence whenever given any work. My hard work and ability to write and speak well English language earned me a rare opportunity to serve as a teaching intern at the prestigious Eckernforde International Schools, Tanga. I finally graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree of Arts in Education. I got my first job at Africana secondary school where I taught English and Civics and later Lifewaylight School where I’m taught English, Social studies and performing any other duties of duties entitled to a teacher. These two years of teaching has unveiled I stand by the assertion that every student deserves a qualified teacher.

This changing world requires qualified and culturally diverse teachers who are confident and independent enough to inspire and encourage children to realize their potential and value the full worth of their education. Among others, this is the reason that has prompted me to apply for a Master’s degree of Arts in Education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). I’m looking forward to building upon the success and fulfillment I have already experienced as a teacher and gain further satisfaction from my career. As a person who has taught in different schools in Tanzania, instead of having to hear it second hand, I’m aware of the challenges facing the Tanzania education system, more specifically in teaching English as a second language. In regard to the experience, I have so far gained through teaching the English language in different Tanzania primary and secondary schools, I have become familiar with the challenges facing both English language teachers and students in learning and teaching English as a second language. Some of the challenges are teachers’ low capacity to facilitate teaching of English subject and lack of suitable language teaching techniques as well. Another challenge is an inadequate supply of suitable teaching and learning materials.

For instance, in my simple review and in talking to various English teachers here in Tanzania I have discovered numerous inappropriate English textbooks used in primary and secondary schools. Therefore, I’m eagerly anticipating for limitless knowledge that will enable me to get a professional role in solving these challenges. Advanced courses in curriculum and instructional development, educational leadership, educational technology, new teaching techniques and ESL endorsement to name a few, will provide me with a solid foundation that will grow in my knowledge, skills and experience in supporting my students to thrive in their educational journey. I will use my expertise to empower not only students but also English language teachers in achieving their goals by preparing convenient English textbooks and training teachers to improve their grounds in teaching of English as a second language. My long-term aspiration is attaining a PhD in Education that will offer me a leadership opportunity to plan and improve the quality of education in my entire community.

Getting a scholarship to enroll at Felician University in New Jersey to me will be a dream come true since i have been striving for an opportunity to further my education, but I have never had a chance because of financial inability. Through the university’s website, I have been fascinated by your respect for diversity. I like the fact that the university is accepting a variety of students from different backgrounds and countries. I’m eagerly looking forward to gaining huge and culturally diversified experience through interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds and contributing as much as possible to the community of the university through sharing my own. I have also been super pleased by your sporting activities such as athletics. Since my education journey is not meant to be a lonely trip, this will allow me to make friends whilst getting involved in extracurricular activities.

Furthermore, it will be my pleasure to improve my English skills by learning instantly from people who use the language on a daily basis. I can not think of anyone more deserving than me, I thus commend myself for the master scholarship at Felician University. I’m certain that you will find my firsthand and professional experiences impressive enough to successfully complete a Master’s degree of Arts in Education at your esteemed university. However, the most compelling force comes from my heartfelt passion for bettering myself and sharing my expertise to brighten and help others achieve their goals. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for considering my application though I couldn’t have made it to this far, it is thanks to the International Freshman Scholarship Program.