FIFTH TASK

DIRECTIONS:  Based on the Chapter "Exploring Teachers´ beliefs" (Richards & Lockhart, 2004), write down in your blog your main beliefs about English, Learning and Teaching. To the effect, you may consider answering the suggested questions or the teachers` beliefs inventories at the end of the chapter:

BELIEFS ABOUT ENGLISH:

• Why do you think English is an important language?
• Do you think English is more difficult to learn than other languages?
• What do you think the most difficult aspects of learning English are (e.g., grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation)?
• Which dialect of English do you think should be taught (e.g., British, American, other)?
• Do you think it is important to speak English with native-like pronunciation?
• How does English sound to you compared to other languages you know?
• What attitudes do you think your learners associate with English?
• Do you think English has any qualities that make it different from other languages?

BELIEFS ABOUT LEARNING:

• How do you define learning?
• What are the best ways to learn a language?
• What kinds of exposure to language best facilitate language learning?
• What kinds of students do best in your classes?
• What kinds of learning styles and strategies do you encourage in learners?
• What kinds of learning styles and strategies do you discourage in learners?
• What roles are students expected to assume in your classroom?

BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING:

• How do you see your role in the classroom? How would this be apparent to a visitor?
• What teaching methods do you try to implement in your classroom?
• What teaching resources do you make use of?
• How would you define effective teaching?
• What is your approach to classroom management?
• What are the qualities of a good teacher?
• How would you characterize English teaching (or the language you teach) as a profession?
• What changes do you think are necessary in the language teaching profession?
• What kind of training do you think language teachers need?
• What kinds of professional development activities best support teaching?
• What kind of support for professional development is available at a school you are familiar with?
• What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching for you?
• Do you think language teachers should be evaluated throughout their careers? If so, what form should this evaluation take?