A More Learning Perspective from a MCAEL insider:
At MCAEL we often describe our More Learning Less Teaching workshop as an intensive two-day master’s program for new instructors. It’s a short way to describe the value of the training. I’d like to share what I got out of it.
I had fallen into the trap, the I know English therefore I can teach English trap. As a little girl I would try and teach my grandparents how to speak English. As my English skills excelled I would correct my mother’s accent and her grammar in letters she’d write at work or letters to my school. Decades later this was a motivating factor in taking a position with MCAEL. I never wanted anyone to have to go through what my Grandparents and family did – not being able to communicate with doctors, missed opportunities and disconnectedness from the larger community.
When I was invited to teach an ESOL class I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to see what it was like to formally teach. I thought teaching would help me gain perspective on my new position at MCAEL and I wanted to help people. Had I ever taught or had experience teaching? I taught people about their rights as tenants (harking back to my days as a tenant organizer) but had I taught English – no. In my mind I thought – I know English, I learned English in school, I use it every day, I think I can do this.
With dwindling attendance numbers during the first session of my ESOL class I knew I needed to make a change. I attended More Learning Less Teaching and realized I needed training and education to teach ESOL to adults. My eyes were opened.
Basics like scaffolding, recall and ice-breakers rocked my teaching world! I felt embarrassed to have minimized how enormous the task at hand was. Granted, not everyone has a TESOL degree, nor do you necessarily need this to be a good ESOL teacher. You do however need a good foundation to grow from. I was thankful to get this crash course through MCAEL's More Learning program. Following the course, my handbook and other classroom realia received much wear and tear. I met others like myself whose intentions were good but like me lacked ESOL training. It made me realize the role this training has in our community. MCAEL as a convener provides this very crucial puzzle piece – professional support and development to organizations and people who want to help immigrants acquire language skills through quality instruction. The More Learning training introduces new instructors to the foundations of ESOL and supports student learning through instructor professional development – free of charge, a huge benefit to local organizations, ESOL teachers and students.
