Since majoring in English literature in college, Katie Stewart has taught a variety of students in a variety of settings. Let’s catch up with her.
Please tell us where you are and what you are doing these days.
Actually, I am currently in two kinds of classrooms! I have been teaching at Greenville Tech for two years and since September, also in an Intermediate English course at the International Center of the Upstate (ICU).
Why did you seek TESOL certification?
I needed to gain both the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience to be an effective ESL teacher.
You have mentioned two different kinds of classrooms.
I think that in any teaching situation, it is important to tailor the class requirements to the individual interests of the students. My previous teaching experience was with middle school students. They are more often captivated by imaginative stories and lessons while adult learners are more likely to have real-world language needs. Both areas of language learning are important and productive, but I typically choose slightly different approaches in each respective classroom. The strategies I learned in the TESOL course have been invaluable in all my current teaching contexts.
Tell us a little more…
At Greenville Tech, our focus is on academic English and writing strategies. In these classes that are not specifically for ESL students, I spend time teaching grammar structures and essay writing. Because my goal in these courses is to help my students progress to the next level of college English, I help them meet the academic requirements for advancement. At the ICU there are fewer established benchmarks. It’s an informal setting too so I emphasize communicative English to help my students engage with everyday English language. I work to help my students improve their understanding and speaking fluency in day-to-day communication. That sometimes requires a departure from formal English grammar.
How does teaching make you feel?
Despite its complexity and difficulty, I love the English language! It is such a joy for me to share this love with other people. I hope that my students leave my class feeling empowered by their improved skills.
Any words of advice for TESOL graduates or other teachers?
Allow your students to teach you, too. Together we can learn from each other’s knowledge and experiences, and our lives are all the richer because of it.
Do you need variety in your work? Already have some teaching experience but want to understand the theory behind what you love? Like Katie, you can transform your world with a TESOL certificate from English for Life.
